By Daniel Donkor
The lives and livelihoods of residents in Bisi, Krofofrom, Mankranho and surrounding communities in the Tano North District of the Ahafo Region are increasingly under threat as illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to overrun farmlands and contaminate critical water sources.
At the centre of the unfolding environmental crisis is the River Bisi, the main source of drinking water and agricultural supply for these communities. Once a dependable lifeline for farming and daily survival, the river has been heavily polluted by mining activities, raising serious public health and environmental concerns.
The danger extends beyond Ahafo. The River Bisi flows into the Subri River and eventually joins the Tano River, a major raw water source for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). The Tano supplies treated water to parts of the Bono Region, including Sunyani, meaning upstream pollution now poses a direct risk to thousands of residents downstream.
When GBC News visited the affected communities of Adegyemim, Bisi, Krofofrom, Subriso One and Two, Mankranho, Kootwi, Tanom, and Tanoso, the scale of destruction was stark.
An undercover visit to a galamsey site at Bisi revealed vast stretches of farmland and forest severely degraded, with deep pits and stripped vegetation left in the wake of mining operations. Heavy excavators were seen deep within forested areas, underscoring the intensity of the illegal activities.
Checks indicate that more than 60 acres of productive farmland have already been destroyed, dealing a severe blow to local agriculture and household incomes.
The River Bisi, once clear and reliable, now runs brown and muddy, making it unsafe for drinking, farming or domestic use. Similar pollution was observed along sections of the Tano River and its reserves, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the region’s water resources. The Tano River flows through the Ahafo Region and into the Ashanti, Western, and Western North regions.
Farmers and residents describe the impact as devastating. Nana Asare Kofi Adamper, a farmer in the area, said agricultural activities have been disrupted by chemical contamination of water sources.
“Our biggest worry is that people in Sunyani and other towns may be drinking this water without knowing how polluted it is,” he said.
Despite pressure from illegal miners, Nana Adamper said he has refused to release his land for galamsey operations, stressing that no amount of money could justify the destruction of lives, farmlands and water bodies.
Other farmers shared similar concerns, noting that the River Bisi has been polluted to such an extent that it can no longer be used for drinking, irrigation or any household activity.
Residents are calling on government authorities, security agencies, and environmental regulators to take swift and decisive action to halt illegal mining and protect the region’s water resources.
However, a climate of fear persists in the affected communities, with many residents reluctant to speak openly about the destruction due to alleged threats and intimidation from galamsey operators.
As the polluted waters of the Bisi continue into the Subri and Tano rivers, the crisis poses a grave threat not only to rural communities in Ahafo but also to urban populations downstream. Without urgent and sustained intervention, a vital water lifeline risks irreversible damage, with far-reaching consequences for public health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
More Stories Here
Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
