The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, has raised serious concerns about water pollution in his district and called for urgent intervention to ensure clean and reliable water supply for the people of Talensi. Apexnewsgh.com
His remarks came during a well-attended public engagement organized by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in Bolgatanga on Monday, where community leaders, utility providers, and residents gathered to discuss issues affecting essential services in the Upper East Region.
Tongraan’s address was both a warning and a passionate appeal, highlighting the environmental and public health risks posed by ongoing illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, within the district. According to the Paramount Chief, Talensi is grappling with the same water pollution challenges affecting other districts, despite not being recognized as such by the regional water company.
“Galamsey is happening in the Talensi district, carried out by our young men,” he lamented. “Apart from Cardinal Namdeni and Earl International, several parts of the area have been found to contain gold. As I am speaking, so many young men have gone and started digging left and right. We had to call on the District Chief Executive and the security services because they were digging and carrying away what they called ‘the sand,’ washing it into streams that flow into the White Volta and other water bodies.”
The Chief described how these activities have led to severe water pollution. “The water was so polluted and turned so brown that it was very dangerous. The galamsey is happening in those parts of eastern Talensi, and it is not just a local problem. Pollution is coming from all the way from Burkina Faso into the White Volta. I don’t know how come the regional water company said that we are not affected by the pollution. But I want to tell you, you need to go and check the White Volta—the pollution is real and it is affecting us.”
The Paramount Chief’s testimony painted a vivid picture of the environmental degradation experienced in Talensi, where streams and rivers have become conduits for mining waste, endangering the health of people and livestock alike. He emphasized that the problem is compounded by the lack of oversight, with many artisanal miners operating without regard for environmental standards or community welfare.
Despite these challenges, the Talensi district has not been officially listed by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) as one of the areas affected by water pollution. Tongraan expressed his disappointment at this oversight and called on authorities to conduct proper assessments. “It is crucial for the water company and relevant regulatory bodies to recognize the reality on the ground. Only then can appropriate interventions be designed and implemented.”
Beyond pollution, the Chief highlighted another critical issue: the chronic shortage of potable water in Talensi. “The whole of Talensi doesn’t have water supplied by the Ghana Water Company,” he revealed. “The water we have there comes from community water and sanitation systems, and that water is highly inadequate. At this point, I want to appeal to you to make sure that Talensi is captured in the budget you are making, at least to make sure you stretch water to Talensi.”
His plea resonated with many in the audience, particularly residents who have long contended with water scarcity, relying on boreholes, wells, and seasonal streams—sources that are themselves under threat from pollution and overuse. The Paramount Chief called on the PURC, GWCL, and all relevant stakeholders to prioritize the extension of safe, treated water to the district, insisting that reliable access to clean water is a basic right, not a privilege.
During the public engagement, other participants echoed the Chief’s concerns, recounting their own experiences with waterborne diseases, livestock losses, and the disruption of farming activities due to polluted streams. Civil society representatives urged for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and stronger collaboration between local authorities, traditional leaders, and national agencies.
Representatives from the Ghana Water Company Limited assured the gathering that their concerns would be taken seriously and promised to review the situation in Talensi. They acknowledged the need for improved monitoring of water quality and committed to exploring options for expanding water infrastructure in underserved districts.
Officials from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the voices of affected communities inform future utility planning and policy. “We are here to listen and to ensure that your input shapes our decisions,” one PURC representative stated.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and a broad consensus on the need for immediate action. The Paramount Chief’s intervention has sparked hope that Talensi’s plight will no longer be ignored and that tangible steps will be taken to address both pollution and water scarcity.
As the Upper East Region continues to grapple with the twin challenges of environmental degradation and inadequate infrastructure, community leaders like Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang are determined to keep the spotlight on their districts, pushing for recognition, resources, and real change. For Talensi, the hope is that their voices will not only be heard but will lead to lasting solutions that safeguard the health and well-being of all residents.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
