Findings by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) indicate that mercury contamination in some water bodies is as high as 500 times.
This is contained in a report released by the UK backed Non- Governmental Organisation , Africa Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Authority.
The report further indicates that many food items grown in mining areas have heavy metals in them including, taro leaves or kontomire and tomatoes.
The research was undertaken in six regions namely, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti regions. The rest are Central, Savannah and Western North regions.
In the Ashanti region specifically, water samples from multiple streams and testing of vegetables were taken from communities including, Konongo Odumase, Konongo zongo and Nyamebekyere in the Obuasi Municipality.
The study was undertaken between August 2024 – and September 2025.
Below is the full report:
MIA Presentation _18 September 2025
