Our rivers are brown, heavy, and lifeless- Erastus Donkor
Multiple award-winning investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group has raised alarm over the deteriorating state of Ghana’s rivers, attributing the crisis to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Delivering the keynote address at CDD-Ghana’s 20th Kronti Ne Akwamu lecture on Thursday, November 27, Donkor said the condition of the country’s rivers reflects a collective national failure.
“When you travel across Ghana today, our rivers tell the story of our failure. The Pra, Offin, Ankobra, Birim, Tano, Densu, Ayensu, Butre, Ashyire, Offin, Oda, Bia, Bissi, Oweri, Atronsu – once sources of life – now flow like wounds across our conscience. They have turned brown, heavy, and lifeless,” he said.
He noted that despite researchers and policymakers being aware of the contaminants, the crisis continues unabated.
Recalling his work on the investigative documentary Poisoned for Gold, Donkor said water samples collected from several polluted rivers and analysed at KNUST’s Health Laboratory revealed toxic levels of heavy metals. Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead were found in quantities exceeding safe limits, in some cases more than 200% above World Health Organization standards.
He also highlighted that multiple studies by scientists from the University of Mines and Technology, the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and KNUST have consistently confirmed dangerously high contamination levels caused by irresponsible mining practices.
Donkor stressed that these once-vital rivers, which supported farming, fishing, and livelihoods across the country, are now severely compromised, posing significant risks to both communities and the environment.
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