Hot SourceResidents of several communities in the Agona East constituency are facing severe water shortages after the Kwanyako Water Treatment Plant was shut down for more than six weeks because of pollution from illegal mining.
The plant, which draws from the Ayensu River, can no longer supply treated water to surrounding towns including Ayensuano, Mankrong and Kwanyako. Locals say they are trekking long distances in search of clean water and fear the situation is increasing health risks.
Community members blame miners from outside the area for the contamination and have appealed to government to take urgent action to protect the river.
The crisis has triggered a sharp political exchange. On Sunday, Dennis Aboagye, communications director of the Bawumia campaign team, toured the treatment plant and criticised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as years of inaction on illegal mining.
Aboagye said the number of clean rivers recorded in Ghana fell from 40 in 2010 to 15 in 2016, but has since risen to 29 under the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). He warned that the pursuit of quick profits from illegal mining should not be allowed to endanger public health.
Separately, NPP Ashanti Regional Communications Director Paul Kwabena Yandoh called on President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency over the worsening water crisis and to end what he alleged was tacit support for gold purchases from illegal miners.
The Kwanyako plant remains offline as authorities work to contain the pollution and restore a safe water supply to affected communities.
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