The ancient royal town of Kyebi in the Eastern Region, the traditional seat of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, is grappling with a severe wat
The ancient royal town of Kyebi in the Eastern Region, the traditional seat of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, is grappling with a severe water shortage following the contamination of the Birim River — the community’s main water source — by illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey.
Residents of Kyebi and surrounding communities under the Abuakwa South Municipality say the situation has reached a critical level, with many resorting to purchasing bottled or sachet water for drinking, cooking, and basic household use.
The shutdown of the Kyebi Water Treatment Plant, due to the high levels of silt and chemicals in the river, has left thousands without a reliable water supply.
In a strongly worded public statement and subsequent letter to the Abuakwa South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), residents have appealed to authorities to take urgent steps to restore clean water access.
“This crisis has significant implications for public health, sanitation, and overall quality of life,” the petition read.
It urged the MCE to prioritize the repair of water infrastructure, explore alternative sources, and implement sustainable water management measures.
MCE Declares War On Galamsey Financiers
Responding to the worsening situation, the Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikens, has declared an all-out war on galamsey operators and their sponsors.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Abuakwa South Municipal Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce in Kyebi, the MCE vowed to deal ruthlessly with all those behind the environmental destruction that has crippled the municipality’s water system.
“The fight will not stop at the mining sites. We are going after the financiers and the political actors who protect them,” he declared.
“Even if it means going to the homes of suspected sponsors to arrest and arraign them before the courts, it would be pursued ruthlessly.”
Nana Addo-Aikens also directed security agencies to arrest anyone found in typical galamsey attire or carrying equipment such as head pans, pickaxes, shovels, and metal detectors within the municipality.
“If anyone is seen dressed up for menial work with these tools, they will be arrested on probable cause and thoroughly investigated,” he warned.
Kyebi’s Water Crisis Deepens
The MCE’s aggressive posture comes at a time when the Kyebi Water Treatment Plant, managed by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has faced repeated shutdowns due to the heavy pollution of the Birim River.
The once-pristine water body, which snakes through Akyem Abuakwa lands, has turned brown and poisonous as illegal miners continue to use mercury and other toxic chemicals in their quest for gold.
Experts warn that the contamination has not only affected domestic water supply but also endangered aquatic life and local agriculture.
“If the quest for illicit wealth means the rest of us should die of thirst and disease, then diplomacy is no longer an option,” the MCE lamented.
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