As one of Ghana’s major sources of drinking water, the Volta River plays a vital role in sustaining communities, agriculture, and industry across the country. However, as Ghana faces increasing threats to its water resources, one pressing question arises: what would happen if gold were discovered in the Volta Region, particularly near the Volta River?
Given the devastating environmental impacts of illegal mining—locally known as “galamsey”—on water bodies in other regions, this hypothetical scenario could spell disaster for one of the country’s last remaining clean water sources. The potential consequences of gold mining in this ecologically sensitive area are vast and must be considered carefully.