E/R: Kyebi Residents Face Over Two Years of Water Crisis as NADMO Raises Alarm Over Galamsey
Residents of Kyebi and its surrounding communities in the Eastern Region have endured more than two years without a reliable supply of potable water, with rampant illegal mining activities blamed for the worsening situation.
The residents say illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has significantly increased the turbidity of the Birim River, the main source of water for the Ghana Water Company Limited's treatment plant serving the area.
The prolonged water shortage has heightened frustration among residents, who are calling for urgent government intervention to restore a reliable supply of safe drinking water.
Meanwhile, official correspondence from the Abuakwa South Municipal Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), intercepted by MightyNews360, has exposed additional threats posed by illegal mining activities in critical locations within the municipality.
The letters, signed by Municipal NADMO Director Aikins Ofori and addressed to the Municipal Chief Executive of the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly, highlight growing environmental, infrastructural and public safety concerns.
In one of the reports, NADMO raises concerns about illegal mining activities taking place directly behind the campus of Abuakwa State College at Kyebi-Pano.
According to the report, the noise, disturbances and heavy operations associated with the mining activities are disrupting academic activities, threatening the safety of students and staff, and undermining the school's peaceful learning environment.
A second report highlights illegal mining activities within the Kressen River channel at Kyebi Habitat, where miners are alleged to have used sand to obstruct the natural flow of the river.
NADMO warns that the obstruction could trigger severe flooding during heavy rainfall, potentially resulting in the destruction of property, damage to infrastructure and loss of lives.
The organisation has consequently urged the Municipal Assembly, security agencies and relevant regulatory authorities to treat the situation with urgency.
Its recommendations include immediate enforcement measures to halt the illegal mining operations, the removal of blockages from natural waterways, and the protection of public infrastructure and community safety.
The growing concerns come amid mounting frustration among residents over the prolonged water shortage and the continued degradation of vital water bodies.
Residents are now looking to the relevant authorities to take decisive action against illegal mining activities and address the worsening environmental threats before they result in further damage to lives and property.


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