Water, vital to life, is facing significant threats in Ghana due to climate change and human activities such as illegal mining, improper waste disposal, and farming near water sources. The Tano River, which originates in Techiman, is one of the water bodies at risk.
In response, local government officials and traditional leaders of the Techiman Municipal Assembly, with support from EcoCare Ghana and the European Union-funded Landscapes and Environmental Agility across the Nation (LEAN) project, have enacted new bye-laws aimed at protecting the Tano River and preserving its ecosystem.
During a recent stakeholder meeting organized by EcoCare Ghana, local government officials and traditional leaders discussed the implementation of these bye-laws. Kwame Asante Agyemang, the Assembly’s Physical Planning Officer, identified key activities that are polluting the river, such as washing, waste dumping, farming, and construction near the riverbanks. He described the river’s current condition as an “eyesore.”
While other water bodies, including Aponkonsu, Atweredaa, and Kofroasua, exist in the municipality, the Tano River is the primary water source, vital for the communities living along its banks. Plans are underway to establish a task force to apprehend polluters, with warnings to demolish unauthorized structures near the river, Agyemang said.
Lawyer Mohamadu Bermah Sulemana, a private legal practitioner engaged to explain the new bye-laws, outlined that the laws establish a 100-foot protected zone around the river where no human activities, including farming and construction, are allowed. The laws also restrict the pumping of water from the river during dry periods.
Nana Apenten Fosu II, the Omanhene of Techiman Hansua, expressed concerns about the river’s declining health, warning that if the Tano River were to dry up, it would have devastating effects on the community and its traditions. He pointed out that crocodiles found in the river, which are sacred to the community, are now threatened by the river’s deterioration. He called on the Assembly to work with traditional authorities to raise public awareness of the new bye-laws to safeguard the Tano River for future generations.
Mr. Anthony Duah, the Municipal Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasized the ecological importance of the Tano River and the negative impacts of deforestation on both the climate and local communities. He stated that the bye-laws are aligned with the EPA’s mission to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change.
Mr. Enock Okyere, the Project Officer for EcoCare Ghana, urged collaboration between traditional leaders and local government officials to enforce the bye-laws. He stressed the importance of implementing strict penalties for violators to prevent future offenses.
Okyere reiterated EcoCare Ghana’s commitment to supporting the Techiman Municipal Assembly in its efforts to mitigate climate change, build resilience, and conserve biodiversity, benefiting the entire region.
