WR: Residents in communities around Subri River alarmed by rising cases of river blindness
For communities along the Subri River in the Wassa East District of the Western Region, this river is life. For drinking, bathing, and farming.
Over 2,000 residents in the Wassa East District are struggling with disabilities, raising concerns that the Subri River may be the cause of blindness among its inhabitants. The Subri River, a vital source of water for drinking, bathing, and farming, has now become the center of fear for the communities that rely on it. The Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Augustina Adenyo-Leddy, reported that visual impairment and blindness have contributed to a high disability rate, with more than 2,000 residents recorded as disabled as of February 2026.
Some residents who once had their sight have now become visually impaired, and many attribute this to the Subri River or the water they use. While the connection between the river and blindness has not been scientifically proven, the fear is real. Mrs. Adenyo-Leddy has appealed for urgent assistance, including water treatment facilities and safe water projects to protect residents from water-related health risks.
The District Chief Executive, Alhassan Ibrahim, stated that the Assembly is concerned and will work with the Health Directorate to find the cause and improve preventive healthcare. He encouraged residents to utilize the Free Primary Healthcare initiative for early detection and prevention of diseases. For Mrs. Adenyo-Leddy, the focus is on prevention - ensuring residents are not left vulnerable to preventable blindness, and she calls for investigations, safe water, and sustained healthcare.
Written by urgent.news from 3News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
