Aggrieved Farmers Appeal for Security Intervention as Illegal Miners Destroy Bisi River, Crops

Accra: Some aggrieved farmers and stakeholders in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region have expressed their displeasure about the wanton pollution and destruction of the Bisi River course by some alleged Chinese illegal miners, operating in the area. They called on the security agencies to be expeditious and stem the activities of the miners to create a safe living environment for them and also protect the water body, their farms, and other properties.According to Ghana News Agency, an excavator machine, and some mining tools, equipment, and implements were sighted at the illegal mining site at Bisi, a farming community. Though the miners were not seen on site, they had also cleared large portions of farms apparently to extend their illegal mining activities. In an interview with GNA, Nana Antwi Bosiako, the Chief of Krofrom, noted that illegal miners began their activities on Monday, September 29, 2025, and since then, the Bisi river, a tributary of the River Tano, had changed, turning brownish in color.He emphasized that the river remained the only and major source of water supply for the communities, and the people of Krofrom, Besi, Mankran, Adrobaa, Subriso, and Sukuumo Number Two largely depended on that river for their survival. Nana Bosiako said, 'polluting and destroying the river is more like making us lifeless,' and called for the intervention of the security services and the government.Nana Kumi Yeboah, the Nifahene (sub-chief) of Mankran, another affected community in the area, also expressed concerns over the extensive damage to their farms and vegetative cover. Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tano North Constituency, warned that if the turbidity levels of the Bisi and Tano Rivers increase, local farmers would suffer greatly. She called on traditional authorities, Assembly Members, and opinion leaders in the affected communities to ensure a safe environment.Meanwhile, the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council condemned the alleged illegal mining activi ties. Nana Boakye Bonsu, the Acting President of the Traditional Council, stated that they are against illegal mining and urged the Tano North Municipal Security Committee (MISEC) to investigate and address the issue. He highlighted the historical relevance of the Bisi River and its importance as a source of potable drinking water.However, Mr. Pius Sampson Opoku, the Tano North Municipal Chief Executive, refuted the claims of illegal mining, asserting that the Chinese miners had licenses. He informed the media that two small-scale mining companies, including the Chinese miners, had acquired concessions in the Municipality and denied that their activities were causing pollution or destruction to the Bisi and Tano Rivers.