Mfanteman, Pokukrom, others turn to bottled water amid galamsey fears

Amid growing fears of water pollution due to illegal small-scale mining in the Central Region of Ghana, residents of Meretweso, Pokukrom, Achiase, and Mfanteman are turning to bottled water as their primary source of hydration. The shift in water consumption is driven by visible discoloration and a metallic odor in local sachet water, which is believed to be contaminated by heavy metals.

Farmers and cocoa growers in these communities are particularly affected, with children suffering from stomach pains and rashes after consuming the tainted water. Maame Akua Serwaa, a cocoa farmer in Meretweso, has stopped buying sachet water, spending over GH¢50 per week on bottled alternatives. The pollution is linked directly to the heavy machinery used by galamsey miners washing gold ore in the water tables that feed local wells.

The crisis in Pokukrom is exacerbated by the proximity of mining pits to public infrastructure, including a school and clinic, where mercury seeps into the ground. In Achiase, the financial impact of the water contamination is felt by local retail businesses, with provision shop owners reporting a significant drop in sachet water sales.

Mfantseman residents are also concerned as the destruction from galamsey mining extends beyond the water tables, impacting agricultural lands and the Pra River. Public health officials have confirmed that the fears of the residents are valid, with long-term consumption of contaminated water leading to irreversible organ damage, neurological disorders, and severe birth defects.