ACCRA — Floods triggered by heavy rains have displaced more than 1,300 people in Samreboi in Ghana’s Western Region, with officials linking the severity of the disaster to illegal mining activities.
The flooding affected communities in the Wassa Amenfi West District, including areas along the River Tano, submerging homes and disrupting daily life. Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson visited displaced residents and attributed much of the impact to galamsey, the local term for illegal small-scale mining.
Nelson expressed sadness over the devastation during his visit to the more than 1,340 affected people and called on residents to oppose illegal mining. “Floodwaters do not distinguish between those who participated in illegal mining and those who did not,” he said, according to local media reports.
Reports indicated that more than 200 homes were damaged or submerged and dozens of buildings collapsed. The floods brought socio-economic activities in the area to a halt, officials said.
Illegal mining has long been cited as a contributor to environmental degradation in the Western Region, where operations along rivers can lead to siltation and reduced water flow capacity. The government has conducted operations against galamsey, but enforcement challenges persist.
Relief efforts were underway, with assurances of government support for those affected. Details on the exact number of destroyed structures and any injuries or fatalities remained subject to further verification by local authorities.
Samreboi and surrounding communities have faced recurring flood risks, exacerbated by environmental changes in the mining-prone area. The National Disaster Management Organisation and other agencies typically coordinate responses in such incidents.
As of June 23, displaced residents were receiving assistance, and assessments of the damage continued. Long-term measures to address both flooding and illegal mining were under discussion by regional officials, though specific plans were not detailed in immediate statements.
