The National Disaster Management Organisation has begun desilting and dredging of the Offin River at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region.

The pathways of the river have been blocked due to galamsey activities.

Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, who has been on a tour in the region has warned there may be acute water shortages in that part of the country should the situation persists.

She is courting traditional authorities and residents to partner with the government to fight against the people that are engaging in mining on the river.

The Offin river, which is one of the largest rivers in the Central Region use to flow from the Ashanti Region through to the two Districts of the Upper Denkyira East and West to the Western Region.

However, that is no longer the story as the river is highly turbid and does not flow because the watercourses have been impeded. 

Madam Justina Marigold described as appalling, how everyone has sat on the fence to watch illegal miners destroy the rivers and the forests in the area.

“This is very sad. There is no life in this river and nothing can be done with it. The destruction to the very source of water for the people here is unimaginable,” she lamented.

She warned the country may be forced to import water if the situation is not tackled now.

“I keep on saying that if what is happening here is what is happening elsewhere across the country, then the country is doomed. In next five years or so, we may be importing water,” she said.

The Minister, therefore, implored the people to partner with the government to fight the menace because the government could not fight the battle alone.

“We cannot be everywhere and so all of you need to get involved so we can get this behind us. One of the things we are doing is to get the pathways of the river cleared so the river can flow again. Do join the fight,” she averred.

The National Disaster Management Organisation is partnering with an NGO to desilt and dredge the river to open it up so it could flow.

Regional Coordinator for NADMO, Joe Donkor said they are confident the work being done would yield huge dividends.

“A lot more work needs to be done and we are happy with what has been done so far by the team here. Help us to get the perpetrators arrested,” he appealed.