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Adopt integrated approach to fight illegal mining …Water treatment expert to gov’t
A Sustainable Water Treatment Expert at Florida State University’s Environmental Engineering Laboratory in the USA, Dr Charles Amanze has underscored the need for Ghana to adopt an integrated approach to fight the effect of illegal mining on the country’s water bodies.
The approach, according to him, “synergises novel bioflocculants, modified biochar and specialised bacterial strains to combat the nations deteriorating water quality in areas ravaged by illegal mining activities.”
Dr Amanze said this in an interview with the Ghanaian Times in Accra on Monday.
According to him, his outfit is introducing a powerful combination of complementary technologies that work synergistically to address complex water pollution challenges.
He stated that the strategy was critically pertinent for Ghana, where conventional water treatment facilities were increasingly overwhelmed by diverse contamination profiles.
Dr Amanze said the rampant illegal mining also known as “galamsey has introduced a myriad of heavy metals and organic pollutants into the country’s waterways, which requires a sophisticated and sustainable treatment solutions.
He said a recent comprehensive study by the TAMA Foundation Universal a registered non-profit organisation in Ghana, in collaboration with Ghana’s Water Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), revealed alarming concentrations of heavy metals in the White Volta river, Northern Ghana’s largest water body.
According to the study these contamination levels surpass safe consumption thresholds, posing severe health risks to local communities, particularly vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems who depend on the river for drinking water and domestic needs.
He therefore urged the Mahama-led government to prioritise key research into sustainable water treatment solutions to address the nation’s escalating drinking water crisis.
In a study conducted by Dr. Amanze, it proved that a novel polysaccharide-based bioflocculant derived from Bacillus subtilis ZHX3 achieved impressive removal rates of 90.4 per cent for lead, 78.2 per cent for zinc, and 86.3 per cent for copper in mineral processing wastewater.
Further advancing his research, Dr. Amanze and his team utilised a modified dehydrated biochar fabricated from banana peels, attaining maximum removal efficiencies of 98.7 per cent for arsenic and 90.3 per cent for lead from contaminated wastewater.
“Ghana is rich in banana peels and other agricultural residues like cocoa pods which can be modified to remove some of the most persistent and difficult-to-treat pollutants like Arsenic and lead” Dr Amanze said.
He said “by extracting bioflocculants from microbes and immobilising them on biochar, we can harness the complementary strengths of both materials, crafting a highly efficient and sustainable solution for pollution management.”
He mentioned that the advantages of these technologies were particularly suited to Ghana’s unique environmental conditions saying, the bioflocculant excels in treating multiple pollutants simultaneously, surpassing the performance of traditional chemical treatments.
While acknowledging potential challenges such as initial investment costs and the necessity for specialised technical expertise, Dr. Amanze remains optimisticsaying “the science is proven, the technology is viable, and the need is undeniable. It all boils down to a collective commitment to prioritise public health and safeguard our rivers and groundwater from further degradation.”
Dr Amanze said as Ghana stands at a pivotal moment in its quest to secure clean and safe water for its populace, the widespread adoption of bioflocculant-biochar treatment systems could signify a transformative leap forward.
He was of the view that the innovative approach has the potential to rehabilitate polluted waterways, thereby enhancing public health and fostering economic growth.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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