The Volta River Basin, one of the most important water resources in West Africa, spans approximately 400,000 km² across six countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Togo. Within Ghana, the Volta River Basin flows from Burkina Faso through northern Ghana, passing through the Afram Plains in the Eastern Region before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea in the Volta/Greater Accra Region.
Volta River
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.
The State of Ghana’s Water Resources
Ghana is endowed with numerous rivers and lakes, such as the Ankobra, Pra, and Tano Rivers, as well as urban water sources like the Odaw River and the Weija Dam in Accra.
Sadly, the rapid contamination rate in many of these water bodies is alarming. Rivers in southwestern Ghana, including the Ankobra and Pra, are heavily polluted with mercury, cyanide, and other harmful chemicals used in gold mining. Notwithstanding, the unimaginable level of sedimentation in these rivers further degrades the water quality, leading to a situation where even basic water for drinking and agriculture is at risk.
Currently, 14 of Ghana’s 16 regions actively engage in illegal mining, leading to widespread contamination of rivers and streams with heavy metals and sediments. Only the Greater Accra and Volta Regions have been spared from the gold rush, mainly due to the absence of significant mineral deposits in these areas—at least for now. But what would happen if gold were discovered in the Volta Region? How would mining activities impact the Volta River, which provides drinking water for millions of Ghanaians?
If gold were found near the Volta River, the region could quickly become a hotspot for mining activities, particularly illegal operations. If gold is discovered near the Volta River, both legal and illegal mining activities would likely follow, as has been seen in other gold-rich regions of Ghana. Illegal mining often operates without environmental regulations, leading to rampant pollution. The most immediate threat would be the introduction of mercury and other toxic heavy metals into the Volta River system. Mercury is highly persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in fish and other aquatic organisms. For communities that rely on fish from the Volta River for food, mercury contamination could lead to serious health risks, including neurological damage and developmental issues in children. The middle course of the Volta River, particularly in the southeastern part of Ghana, serves as a major source of drinking water. Any significant contamination of this water source could overwhelm existing water treatment facilities, leading to shortages of clean drinking water. Already, some parts of Ghana, including Accra, have started relying on imported bottled water due to the deterioration of local water sources.
Lessons from Other Mining Regions
The hypothetical discovery of gold in the Volta Region is not without precedent. Other regions in Ghana have already experienced the destructive effects of illegal mining. Rivers such as the Ankobra and Pra have been severely impacted by galamsey activities, with entire ecosystems collapsing under the weight of pollution and over-exploitation. Despite government efforts to curb illegal mining, enforcement remains weak, and local communities often bear the brunt of the environmental degradation.
On a global scale, similar scenarios have played out in countries like Brazil and Indonesia, where large-scale mining near water bodies has resulted in significant contamination and the displacement of indigenous communities. These examples serve as a stark warning for Ghana: without strict regulation and proactive measures, the Volta River could face the same fate as other heavily polluted rivers in the country.
Written by Sampson Dordaa (Bro Sam)
