The Member of Parliament for Tano North, Gideon Boako, has raised serious concerns over the destruction of the Tano River due to illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, in the Ahafo Region.
The once-important Tano River, which serves as a major source of drinking water for many communities in the Tano North Municipality, is under increasing threat as illegal mining activities continue to pollute and degrade the water body.
Speaking during a clean-up exercise organised by the Youth Association of Tanoso, Dr Boako expressed deep concern over the worsening pollution of the river, warning that the situation is negatively affecting livelihoods and access to clean water in the municipality.
According to the MP, despite the awareness of government officials and security agencies about the activities of illegal miners, little action has been taken to stop the destruction, which continues to escalate.
Dr Boako further disclosed that some illegal miners have now moved their operations into forest reserves within the municipality, worsening environmental degradation and posing a serious threat to biodiversity and water sources.
He therefore called on government and relevant authorities to take urgent steps to protect the Tano River and preserve the municipality’s forest reserves from further destruction.
“The Municipal Security Council and relevant authorities should be up and doing and dealing with these illegal miners whose activities are destroying our cherished Tano River.”
On sanitation, the MP also appealed to the Municipal Assembly to improve waste management in the area.
He noted that although residents pay sanitation levies, waste disposal continues to remain a major challenge.
Dr Boako is advocating for the establishment of a proper final disposal site and the provision of more waste containers across communities to improve sanitation and enhance living conditions in the municipality.
