The historic River Suble, located behind the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Nkroful—the birthplace of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah—has suffered severe degradation due to illegal mining activities known as “galamsey.” Once a source of pride and utility for the community, the river is now a casualty of unregulated mining operations that have caused significant environmental damage.
Residents of Nkroful lament the impact of galamsey on the River Suble, emphasizing how it tarnishes the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah and reflects a troubling lack of leadership. One local resident expressed frustration, stating, “This is the only water we depended on for bathing and drinking, and it was very useful to us during the dry season. However, because of galamsey activities, we have difficulty getting potable water, so we want the government to help stop the galamsey.”
Another resident highlighted the river’s importance in their daily lives. “We used to drink and bathe from this river; it was so helpful, but now it’s been destroyed. If you want to know who is responsible for the devastation of the river, you need to ask the Chiefs of Anwia, Bokazo, and Nkroful. Right now, we don’t have access to water for our needs. We now depend on well water,” she explained.
