Three major river bodies in the Suaman and Bodi Districts in the Western North Region have turned muddy due to the activities of illegal mining in the river bodies. The residents in the area have appealed to authorities for immediate intervention. 

Illegal mining in the major river bodies in the Suaman and Bodi Districts in the Western North Region has negatively impacted the state of the rivers in the area. Some major rivers including Bia, Sui, Benzemata, and Torya have all turned into mud due to the activity of the illegal miners. 

The illegal miners mine in the river bodies to destroy the aquatic organisms and their habitat. As a result, the state of the river becomes useless and poisonous as well. They use changfa, excavators, and other equipment to destroy the rivers. 

About two years ago, the Suaman Traditional Council in Dadieso performed a ritual and pronounced curses to forbear those mining in the river bodies, particularly River Bia and Sui in the area. Nana Nkyechi Payin, the Adumhene of the Suaman Traditional Council who led the ritual performing said that the motive behind the exercise was to seek the help of the gods to protect the rivers against the activities of illegal miners.

Performing the rituals at the banks of River Bia at Bia Kotoko, a farming community in the Suaman District, Nana Nkyeche called on the gods of the rivers around the area to deal with anyone who disobeys their order. 

Meanwhile, the ritual performed seemed not to work as the illegal miners doubled their numbers. A lot of changfa and excavators have been deployed into the area working day and night. 

Suaman and Bodi Districts which used to be farming areas have now turned into galamsey hubs with authorities showing less or no concern. Aside from the river bodies, most of the cocoa farms have been razed down by illegal miners. Some residents and farmers in the area speaking to original new, said they now found it difficult to get potable water for their activities. 

They also appealed to the government, particularly, the Western North Regional Minister, Richard Joojo Obeng, and the security services to intervene safeguard safety of human lives and natural resources.

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