The Water Resources Commission has warned that illegal mining-induced pollution of the Bia and Tano Rivers are assuming alarming proportions.

According to the Commission, the pollution rate is similar to levels that triggered outrage from neighboring Cote d’Ivoire in 2017.

Speaking at a two-day transformational dialogue organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ben Ampomah, said that data available indicate disturbing turbidity levels of the two water bodies.

The footages of the water bodies displayed at the dialogue showed a highly polluted Offin, Annuru and Tano rivers in the Ashanti and Western regions.

The images drew sharp reactions from MP for Ahafo Ano South East, Francis Manu Adabor, representative of the Bono Traditional Council, Nana Kofi Bediako, the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene and the Technical Adviser to the Lands Minister, Ben Aryee.

The stakeholders called for action by the government.

Meanwhile, the Commission has disclosed that Ghana is getting close to creating a rift with Cote d’Ivoire due to the increasing pollution of the Bia River.

This is because the Bia River flows through their treatment plants.

Also, the two-day dialogue is expected to come out with a communique on fresh solutions in the efficient management of small scale or artisanal mining in the country.