The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, has vowed to protect the Black Volta River from the threat of illegal mining, warning that the lifeline of his constituency and the entire Upper West Region cannot be compromised for short-term gains.
At an engagement with staff of the Wa West District Assembly, the MP said the Black Volta remains central to the survival of his people and would be shielded at all costs from destructive activities. He stressed that the river is not only a source of clean drinking water but also the very heartbeat of Wa West.
Hon. Toobu declared that illegal miners would not be allowed to tamper with the river, describing it as a sacred resource that defines the existence of the constituency.
“If we don’t protect it, it is not only Wa West that will suffer. The whole of the Upper West is going to suffer, and particularly Wa Central.
“As for illegal mining, if you want to do it even on the moon, and you’re permitted, the Lord be with you. But not in the river. The Black Volta is Wa West, and Wa West is the Black Volta. It is our life.
“We will do everything within our capacity to ensure that we keep the black water away from illegal mining”
Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, MP for Wa West
The MP explained that while mining may have a place elsewhere, the Black Volta was beyond compromise and disclosed that with support from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Boah, the district had been provided with trained water guards to that effect.
These guards, he said, would serve as the first line of defence by gathering intelligence and working hand in hand with security agencies to stop any form of mining activity near or in the river.
He emphasised that the measure was not only about protecting natural resources but also ensuring long-term survival of communities dependent on the Black Volta. The deployment marks a new phase in the constituency’s efforts to curb the destructive practice of galamsey, which has left several water bodies across Ghana polluted.
Safety Measures and Wider Support
Beyond environmental protection, Hon. Toobu also turned attention to safety concerns on the river. He donated 50 life jackets to residents who cross or work on the Black Volta, a gesture that followed a tragic incident in July where two lives were lost.
“There shouldn’t be anybody again found on the river without a life jacket. If you have something to do there, go with a life jacket,” he insisted.
His call for strict adherence to safety protocols underscored the dangers faced by residents who rely on the river for daily movement and livelihood. The donation was meant to address an urgent gap while signalling the need for sustained investment in safety measures.
The Wa West District Chief Executive, Richard Wullo, commended the MP for his interventions, describing them as both timely and necessary. He also appealed to individuals and organisations to support the provision of more life jackets, noting that there are numerous crossing points along the Black Volta in the district which “still lack adequate safety equipment.”
The DCE emphasised that broader assistance was needed to protect lives while sustaining the benefits of the river. His remarks highlighted the shared responsibility between government, local authorities, and private actors in safeguarding communities.
The Black Volta has long been considered, in Ghana, as the lifeline of Wa West and adjoining communities, providing clean water, transportation, and sustenance.
The MP’s resolve reflects growing nationwide concerns over the destructive toll of illegal mining, which has devastated rivers across the country. Unlike other areas where communities have watched helplessly, Wa West is positioning itself to prevent the crisis before it escalates.
As the government continues to emphasise environmental protection and community safety, Hon. Toobu’s initiative stands as a practical demonstration of local leadership complementing national priorities.
