The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana has taken a bold scientific step forward by initiating a pilot project to tackle severe pollution in one of the country’s most affected rivers.
On February 24, 2026, teams applied a specialized treatment at Adiukrom in the Asiakwa area of the Eastern Region, marking the first field trial of its kind against decades of damage from illegal small-scale mining.
At the core of this Birim River cleanup initiative is ionic nano-copper technology—an organically formulated liquid sprayed directly onto the water surface. The nanoparticles act as powerful adsorbents, binding to heavy metals and suspended particles within about 45 minutes. Contaminants then settle harmlessly to the riverbed, allowing clearer water to flow above, as captured in live demonstrations where murky brown sections turned visibly cleaner.
Early footage from the site reveals portions of the Birim River beginning to regain clarity shortly after application, sparking excitement among environmental experts and local communities watching the transformation unfold in real time.
End of Galamsey? – Ghana EPA Launches $200,000 Ionic Nano-Copper Pilot to Restore Galamsey-Polluted Waters
EPA Begins Scientific Water Cleaning: EPA pilots ‘copper-based’ nano liquid technology to restore polluted Birim River.#ThePulse pic.twitter.com/vEAegJ7Omx
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) February 24, 2026
Backed by $200,000 for the initial one-kilometer stretch, the project brings together key partners including the Ghana Standards Authority, Water Resources Commission, CSIR Water Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, and Ghana Water Company Limited. Preliminary lab tests confirm the treatment sustains aquatic life with no harm to humans, paving the way for careful scaling.
Galamsey-driven contamination has turned the once-vibrant Birim River into a major environmental concern, laden with mercury and other toxins that threaten drinking water, fisheries, and farmlands downstream. This targeted Birim River cleanup pilot represents a science-led response to a crisis that has defied conventional fixes for years.
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, EPA Chief Executive, described the early outcomes as highly promising and revealed that complete restoration of the full river length could require around $35 million. The agency plans to expand testing to other heavily impacted waterways such as the Ankobra, Pra, and Offin Rivers once Cabinet approves broader funding.
While the visible progress offers renewed hope in the fight against galamsey pollution, experts stress that technology alone cannot succeed without stronger enforcement to prevent re-pollution. For more stories on the Environment and Galamsey activities, read our related feature: Ghana’s River Pollution Crisis and Galamsey Solutions
