Birim River has deteriorated as a result of illegal mining.
The community and some organizations have appealed to the government to take action against those who are doing illegal mining and protect the river.
A gold frenzy over a decade ago led to thousands of illegal miners, including some foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, invading the country’s gold deposits in search of gold.
This phenomenon led to the pollution of the Birim River and other rivers, which were the main source of drinking water for millions of Ghanaians.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has complained about the high turbidity of the river water, making it too expensive to treat for human consumption.
Further, GWCL raised the alarm that its equipment would be damaged if the company continued to pump water through the machines.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ending galamse in the country.
He revealed that no government in the history of Ghana has taken up the Galamse fight harder than his government.
He said the galamse menace that has been created in recent times illustrates the importance Ghanaians attach to the issue.
According to him, “We are here to eradicate galamse and surely it will be eradicated… No government has shown that determination in the fight against galamse.”
Prince Henry added his voice to the destruction of water bodies in a Twitter post, saying galamse activities are killing Ghanaians and damaging the forest.
