The use of contaminated water from the Ankobra River in Gwira Dominase, Western Region, to prepare cassava dough poses a serious health risk to consumers across Ghana, including those in Takoradi, Accra, and other towns.
The Ankobra River, heavily polluted due to illegal mining activities, contains harmful heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cyanide.
Despite the pollution, women in Gwira Dominase continue to use the river water to prepare cassava dough, which is then sold in markets nationwide.
While they attempt to purify the water using alum, this method may not effectively remove all contaminants, putting consumers at risk of ingesting harmful chemicals and pathogens.
The consumption of contaminated cassava dough not only affects local delicacies like akyeke but also extends to other dishes like banku, which are prepared using the raw dough.
The potential health consequences of consuming such contaminated food products include damage to brain health and the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Authorities, including the Ghana Water Company, have expressed concern over the situation and emphasized the need for intervention to address the health risks posed by the use of contaminated water. Without intervention, the practice of using polluted water for food preparation will continue to endanger public health.
