WATER POLLUTION IN ABOABO
For the past two decades, river ?palille? has been a clean source of drinkable water for about 90 percent of the people in Aboabo and surroundings. This made the cost of living enjoyable and lovely for everyone. But for the last six month, water pollution has been the matter on board hence making the river unfit for any good purpose as the result of the people throwing waste materials and defecating in the river

One cause of water pollution in Aboabo and its surroundings is improper disposal of waste materials, the population in the area is huge so whenever a big dustbin is placed for collection of waste materials, within the a twinkle of an eye the dustbin will be full because of that the people can?t afford the when are sued so the only option that will minimize their cost is to thrown this waste materials in the gutters that will join the river leading to water pollution. Carpenters in this community throw their by products directly in the river.

Furthermore, inadequate toilet facilities is also a factor contributing to the pollution of the river, almost nine tenth of the population do not have toilet facilities in their homes, they rely on the public toilet facilities which is also small, half of this population cannot have the patience to join long queues the plan they can take is to defecate in rubber bags and cans, these are thrown into gutters when it rains these are washed into the river, two tenth of the population go the river and defecate directly in the river.

This terrible behavior of the people in Aboabo has cause the demand of water more than its supply nowadays, which has increase the cost of water, people who are not able to purchase water still depend on that river, which has cause different kinds of water borne diseases such as guinea worm and others which is causing the death of more than 218 people notably are the children in between 0 to 15 years, this has decline the world population as stated by Mr. Ebenezer Ampa Sarpong, the Director in charge of Programming, Planning and Monitoring Evaluation at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at an Environment Forum that water pollution cause the death of 14000 per day.

Besides, water pollution in this community has cause the death of aquatic animals, these animals has face an extinction rate five times more than that of the terrestrial animals, ten times more than that of the domestic animals, as the result of human shameful activities as explained above which mixes with the river, it decreases the PH of the water hence making the water more acidic which is unsafe for the habitats of the aquatic animals and also causing their death.

Addressing the above problems should not be a difficult task. The first thing that is needed is for our policy makers, NGOs to step up their counseling role in this community. They should make the trouble to visit the river banks and homes to convince carpenters, tailors, parents and children about the importance of water and the big problems we are going to face if we continue with such a nuisance habits. They could use public gatherings, religious gatherings, school gathering and other practical examples to everyone here.

Again, the policy makers, government representatives, assemblyman, Chief and others can come together and make strict laws concerning water pollution, effective education on the law must be made and the effect of breaking the law must be out to the people. For instant in Moshie Zongo whoever throw rubbish or waste materials in their river must pay two hundred Ghana Cedis and other punishments. We can also set committee who will be keeping eye on this river and who ever found breaking that law must punished.

In addition to the above, we can reduce the act by constantly remembering ourselves about the harmful effects of water pollution. Clubs, association, organisations and others can take upon themselves either ones in two weeks or three weeks to do general cleaning. People who are unemployed can make business out of this by going around collecting waste materials and collecting monies. Chiefs, assemblyman and other people can assist the government by purchasing dustbins and constructing toilet facilities for this community.

Finally, I am convinced beyond doubt that if my suggestions are given serious thought this problem facing Aboabo community will soon be a thing of pass.
Abdullah Abass
Ghana