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Samreboi and surrounding communities submerged after torrential rains in Western Region
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Samreboi and its surrounding communities in the Amenfi West Municipality of Ghana's Western Region have been severely impacted by a devastating flood following heavy rainfall. Over 180 houses in Aboi, Cocoase, and Palazzo are inundated, displacing thousands of residents and claiming at least one life. Families have lost belongings, and schools and churches are serving as temporary shelters for victims, including children, the elderly, and nursing mothers. Residents attribute the catastrophe to illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, which they claim have degraded the environment and altered natural waterways, increasing flood susceptibility. Priscilla Yorke, the Municipal Chief Executive for Amenfi West, along with officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation NADMO, assessed the damage and assured victims of forthcoming relief assistance. The community is calling for urgent government and stakeholder intervention to address the environmental destruction contributing to recurring disasters.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
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The Environmental Protection Agency EPA in Tarkwa has called on traditional leaders to utilize their cultural and spiritual authority to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey, in Ghana. Mr. Derick Ashia Logo, the Regional Director of the EPA in Tarkwa, stated that illegal miners are increasingly fortified and pose security risks to enforcement officers. He suggested that chiefs, as custodians of the land, could invoke cultural beliefs, taboos, and customary sanctions to deter illegal mining activities, thereby complementing government efforts. Mr. Logo also advocated for government financial support for community-based environmental protection initiatives and stricter accountability for traditional leaders who fail to protect natural resources under their jurisdiction. The EPA emphasizes that illegal mining remains a significant environmental challenge, causing destruction to rivers, forests, and farmlands, and creating security concerns for anti-galamsey operations.