Farmers in the Pakro and Agyinase-Piem communities of Akuapem South in the Eastern Region have called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to address the issue of illegal mining, (galamsey) when the party assumes office in 2025.
According to the farmers, the Densu River, a crucial source of irrigation for their crops, has been heavily polluted by chemicals used in illegal mining activities, leading to declines in agricultural productivity.
They alleged that crops, particularly okra and other vegetables, are withering, and yields have drastically reduced due to the contamination.
“This area produces a lot of okra but because the Densu river has been polluted it is affecting our farms. We will vote for you (NDC) so that when you assume power you fight the galamsey for us. It is affecting us. Due to the pollution caused by the illegal miners when we fetch from the river to irrigate the farms, it damages the crops. They are withering. Productivity has declined. Now we can’t even fish from the Densu River because everything is dead”, Innusah Akwetey, a farmer stated.
Another farmer said “We used to drink the Densu River when we go to farms but now we can’t. I completed school in 1969, Densu was clean water we used to drink but now can’t drink from Densu again. Meanwhile, we don’t have pipe water so we need a borehole”.
The farmers said this when Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang visited the community to begin her two-day campaign tour of the Eastern region.
The Nana Ahingua II, Agyinase -Piem lamented over the deplorable roads to the community affecting transportation of farm produce to market centers.
He appealed to NDC to resume work on a CHIPs compound initiated under John Mahama led government but abandoned by the current government when the party returns to power.
Addressing the residents, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang urged them to vote for the NDC which stands for development .
She said NDC is the only party that when in government expands electricity to more communities, and constructs roads, water, and health facilities to improve the living standards of the people.
“In this country which party expands electricity? Which party when in government improves education, it is the NDC. It is the only party that provides more water, and constructs roads. So when you are voting and you vote for a party that has no track records in these developmental projects that is the result of the bad roads, and water challenges the chief spoke about. So we must vote for development. That’s is a vote for John Dramani Mahama”.
Lawrencia Dziwornu, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Akuapem South, also promised to drive development in the area, pledging to create 2,000 jobs, economically empower women, and facilitate opportunities for migration abroad under her “one community, one borga” initiative.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
