June 7, 2025 – The massive pollution of major river bodies such as the River Subre, River Broma, River Fia, River Amanzule, and River Ankobra exacerbated by the rainy season has exposed the Ellembelle District to widespread galamsey (illegal mining) activities, despite strenuous efforts made by the anti-galamsey task force in recent times.
The situation is so alarming that residents can no longer rely on these once cherished water bodies as sources of livelihood.
A visit to the River Subre, located in front of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s childhood home in Nkroful where he used to bathe as a child and even during his presidency reveals pollution beyond recognition.
Children seen at the riverbank appeared eager to swim and bathe in the water but refrained, fearing contamination from cyanide and other poisonous chemicals.
At Teleku-Bokazo, the situation was no different, as the River Broma one of the community’s sources of drinking water and livelihood had also been polluted, exposing ongoing galamsey activities in the river.
This situation has forced most residents to rely solely on sachet and bottled water for their survival.
Residents who spoke to Nzema Today TV lamented that the galamsey activities upstream were devastating.
The situation was different at Esiama, where the River Nobaya had maintained its purity and sanctity, untouched by any galamsey activities. According to passers-by, it was evident that galamsey had not reared its ugly head in the river
The River Ebi, which criss-crosses many towns from upstream near Awiebo to under the bridge at Anyanzinli (or New Bakanta), was once pure, without any trace of galamsey. According to residents living upstream at Ebi, the river continues to be their source of drinking water and other forms of livelihood.
Shockingly, the Amanzule River at Azulenloanu once regarded as a no-go area for galamsey activities has now suffered its fair share of the galamsey menace.
The river, which flows into the sea at the estuary near Krisan, Sanzule, and Bakanta, is bound to pollute the pelagic fish species in the ocean.
At Kamgbunli, the River Fia which had been in the news for fishermen harvesting diseased fish found dead on arrival was heavily polluted.
By Kodwo Nyamekeh
