The Member of Parliament for Tano North, Gideon Boako, has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Tano River, warning that illegal mining activities are severely polluting the vital water source.
Speaking during a community clean-up exercise organised by the Tanoso Youth Association, Dr. Boako described the state of the river as alarming and a direct threat to the health and livelihoods of residents in the area.
According to him, illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, has significantly degraded the quality of the river, which serves as a primary water source for thousands of people within the Tano North Municipality.
He cautioned that the level of pollution could have far-reaching consequences if urgent measures are not taken, stressing that contaminated water poses risks to human health, agriculture, and local economic activities.
Dr. Boako further alleged that relevant authorities, including security agencies, are aware of the illegal mining activities and the individuals behind them, but have failed to take decisive action to address the situation.
He therefore called on the Regional Security Council and the Municipal Security Council to intensify efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations in the area.
The MP emphasised the need for a coordinated and sustained response, noting that periodic clean-up exercises alone are insufficient to tackle the scale of environmental degradation being witnessed.
He also urged the Tano North Municipal Assembly to adopt a more structured and professional approach to sanitation management to complement efforts aimed at restoring the river.
