Multiple award-winning investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor says Ghana’s rivers have become a stark symbol of national failure, warning that decades of environmental neglect and destructive mining practices have pushed many water bodies to the brink.
Delivering the keynote address at CDD-Ghana’s 20th Kronti Ne Akwamu lecture on Thursday, November 27, the Multimedia Group journalist opened with a blunt assessment of the country’s river systems.
“When you travel across Ghana today, our rivers tell the story of our failure,” he said. “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.”
Mr. Donkor noted that although the contaminants in these rivers are well known to researchers and policymakers, the crisis continues to deteriorate.
He recalled findings from his investigative work on the documentary “Poisoned for Gold,” explaining that water samples collected from several polluted rivers and analysed at KNUST’s Health Laboratory revealed dangerous concentrations of toxic elements.
“Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium and Lead were present in quantities exceeding safe limits,” he said, adding that, in some cases, the metals recorded “over 200 per cent above World Health Organisation standards.”
He further referenced extensive scientific research conducted by experts from the University of Mines and Technology, the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and KNUST.
According to him, these independent studies have repeatedly confirmed the severe contamination of river bodies resulting from irresponsible mining activities.
