Residents of the Agortime-Ziope District and parts of the Adaklu District are bracing for severe water shortages after their primary water source, the Tordze River, was reportedly polluted.
The Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) issued a press release on the incident, attributing the pollution to an accident in Tove, Republic of Togo. According to the statement, agrochemicals spilled from a truck involved in the accident on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, contaminating the river and rendering it unsafe for human use.
The VRCC, in a release signed by Chief Director Augustus Awity, has cautioned residents living along the Tordze River to immediately halt all activities involving the water. These include drinking, fishing, irrigation, and washing.
“It is essential to assess the level of contamination in the Tordze River and its adjoining water bodies in Ghana before declaring them safe for any human activity, including fishing,” the statement emphasized.
The VRCC has assured residents that a thorough assessment of the contamination is underway to determine the extent of the damage and develop a plan to restore the water’s safety.
In the meantime, Municipal and District Assemblies in the affected areas have been directed to provide alternative water supplies to the communities. This emergency intervention aims to alleviate the immediate impact of the water scarcity while a long-term resolution is being pursued.
The pollution of the Tordze River is expected to cause significant disruptions to daily life in the Agortime-Ziope and Adaklu Districts. Many residents rely on the river for basic needs, including drinking water, farming, and fishing. With these activities suspended, the situation could escalate into a full-blown crisis if alternative water sources are not provided quickly.