Owabi river suffers violence, gradually bowing out of business
The discarded plastic bags dumped in the Owabi river had blocked the drains and culverts, impeding the flow of water and worsening bank erosion.
soireenews 
The Ashanti Region is steadily losing the Owabi Dam following a huge upset in the Owabi River at Atafoa in the Bantama Constituency due to loads of plastic waste discovered by Soireenews.
Until the construction of the Barekese Dam in 1971, Owabi was the only source of water to Kumasi and its immense contribution to life in the region was benefitting.
Residents in many parts of the Ashanti Region experienced water shortages a few weeks ago when the rains were suspended for months making life unbearable meanwhile, activities by residents has become the nemesis of surrounding towns which has resulted in a huge challenge and if not resolved, its implications would be massive.
The celebration of World Water Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, was themed, “valuing water” – a day owed to observe the enormous and complex value for households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment.
Soireenews as part of the activity toured the Owabi River at Atafoa and the scenes witnessed were appalling to be engaged in such a resource.
Plastic contamination from discarded water bottles, polystyrene coffee cups, grocery bags, synthetic clothing fibre, car spare parts, broken fridges and other waste were witnessed in the river which has affected its potability, gradually leading to water dearth.
The vast land surrounding the water body has also been turned into defecation grounds and the refreshing smell of the atmosphere has been ruined.
The plastics leached into the water have degraded the water quality with toxic compounds putting animal health in danger.
The discarded plastic bags dumped in the river had blocked the drains and culverts, impeding the flow of water and worsening bank erosion.
If the situation is overlooked and authorities fail to instil measures to handle wastes from surrounding suburbs in the Region, bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases like typhoid, cholera, encephalitis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis, skin infection and gastrointestinal diseases could intensify among beneficiaries.
