A video circulating on social media has raised concerns about the water quality at the Kintampo Waterfalls in the Bono East region of Ghana.
The video indicates that the water at the popular tourist attraction has been contaminated due to illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
However, the management of the Kintampo Waterfalls has come forward to refute these claims. They explained that the brownish color of the water observed in the video is a natural occurrence following heavy rainfall in the area.
According to them, the influx of water during these periods can cause the water to appear discolored; however, it does not pose a threat to visitors.
In an exclusive interview with the site manager of the Kintampo Waterfalls, Michael Afake, disclosed to 3News’ Claude Kumi Abisa that the inflow carries a substantial amount of sediment and debris from upstream, which changes the color of the waterfalls, rather than being a result of galamsey activities as has been suggested.
“Over the past weeks, the region experienced unusually heavy rainfall, resulting in a significant increase in water inflow. This happens annually when heavy rainfall washes soil and sediment into the river, resulting to a temporary change in the colour of the water and not as a result of illegal mining”. He said.
However, the management reassures the public that they are committed to maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the waterfalls for everyone’s enjoyment. They urge visitors to disregard the misinformation circulating on social media and to continue supporting the conservation efforts at Kintampo Waterfalls.
In conclusion, Michael Afake urges the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, as such negative stories can adversely affect patronage.
“As always, we encourage everyone to verify information before sharing it online to prevent unnecessary panic and misinformation.”
Source: NKONKONSA.com