The Tano River, once a vital source of life for communities in Techiman, is facing a severe environmental crisis. Now polluted and choked with waste, the river’s decline threatens the health, heritage, and survival of residents. However, a group of young volunteers, known as the “City Boys,” are stepping up to restore the river to its former glory.

Nana Akua Amoa II, the Paramount Queen Mother of Tuobodom, vividly remembers a time when the Tano River was pristine. “The Tano River was beautiful and calm. The authorities then were strict; no one was allowed to farm close to its source,” she recalled, describing a harmonious relationship between the community and nature. “The fishes were so plentiful and beautiful that people would come with bread to feed them. It was a spectacle.” Today, she laments, “the river has turned into a gutter.”

Residents of Asutia in the Tanoso Electoral Area, who rely on the river as their only source of drinking water, are bearing the brunt of the pollution. “We risk falling ill every day,” one resident explained, adding that the situation worsens after heavy rains wash filth into the river. Hon. Zakaria Mohammed, Assemblyman for Tanoso, expressed his concern, stating, “The health problems the people go through are overwhelming. We are calling for immediate support.”

According to Osman Young, Area Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rampant urbanization is a key factor in the river’s deterioration. “Urbanization has led to the encroachment of the riparian vegetation,” Young explained. “This destruction has triggered a domino effect: pollution, siltation, and increased evaporation.” He further noted the devastating impact on the river’s ecosystem, particularly the habitat of crocodiles and fishes.

The situation is compounded by the alarming practice of using the river as a defecation site. Lamptey Gyan, the Regional Environmental Health Officer, warned, “When the very source of drinking water is also a site for defecation, we are creating a direct route for the spread of cholera, typhoid, and other deadly diseases.”

Climate change is also exacerbating the problem. Emmanuel Lignule, Regional EPA Boss, explained that erratic and intense rainfall, coupled with the loss of riparian vegetation, leads to increased silt and waste being washed into the river. Adamu Mohammed, Techiman North NADMO Director, added, “The silt and waste block the river’s channel. When the heavy rains come, the water has nowhere to go, so it overflows. The pollution that kills the river is now also flooding our communities.”

Despite the grim situation, the “City Boys” are offering a beacon of hope. They are actively clearing debris and mobilizing the community to protect the river. Osman Young of the EPA emphasized the need for collaboration, stating, “I am appealing to state agencies—the Assembly, the Water Resources Commission, the EPA—and to Nananom [traditional leaders] to collaborate to protect the life of the Tano River.” He envisions a future where the river is a recreational site, attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.

The plight of the Tano River serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental neglect and the impact of climate change. The efforts of Techiman’s youth represent a crucial opportunity to reverse the damage and secure the river’s future. The “City Boys” have ignited a movement; now, the entire community must join the fight to save their lifeline.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE