Agona swedru: A severe water crisis has hit Agona Swedru, Gomoa Central, and Agona East District for over two weeks, affecting more than 800,000 people who are struggling to access water, mostly polluted from streams, wells, and boreholes for domestic chores. The situation has worsened this week, with some food vendors abandoning their trade, while others resort to using unhygienic water for cooking.

According to Ghana News Agency, the crisis has forced hundreds of school children to abandon classrooms, trekking long distances in search of water from polluted sources. Residents have expressed serious concerns and disappointment in the Ghana Water Company at Agona Swedru and Agona Kwanyaku Water Works for failing to communicate information about the situation to the public. They believe that as clients, they should have a cordial relationship with service providers, which includes timely updates on water shortages.

Officers from the water companies were not forthcoming when the Ghana News Agency attempted to verify the cause of the crisis, with sources indicating that their superiors in Cape Coast should address the situation. Investigations revealed that the pumping machines at Agona Kwanyaku Water Works have broken down due to illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, upstream of the Ayensu River.

Nana Ohene Frempong, the Assembly member for Agona Kwanyaku, stated that the illegal mining activities have severely polluted the Ayensu River. He urged the government to take immediate action against those polluting the water bodies to alleviate the suffering of many people, especially school children and food vendors.

The Assemblyman appealed to the Minister of Works and Housing and other relevant agencies to procure new machines for Kwanyaku Water Works to aid residents in Agona East, Agona West, and Gomoa Central Districts. Meanwhile, Madam Amina, a waakye seller at Swedru, appealed to President Mahama to intervene to prevent the outbreak of cholera and other communicable diseases.