Residents of the Afram Plains and parts of the Volta Region face a potential public health risk if urgent action is not taken over the increasing presence of unusually salty tilapia, locally known as Akpatogoe, flooding Ghanaian markets.
Investigations by journalist Ernest Gakpey Apatsia reveal that for about two months, large quantities of dead or weak tilapia have been appearing along the Afram River. According to Moses Ziadienu, popularly known as Agbogbale, a fisherman from the Afram Plains in Kwahu South, the phenomenon has affected fishing communities including Dzemeni, Akatey, Ekye Amafrom, Agordekey, Kpando, and surrounding villages.
He explained that the situation has become so severe that fishermen in these areas have largely abandoned normal fishing activities. Instead of setting nets, they now collect tilapia directly from the river, process them, and transport them to markets in Accra and other cities for sale.
Beyond the fish, there is a deeper public health concern. Most communities around the Afram Plains do not have access to piped water and rely entirely on the Afram River for drinking and domestic use. This means any contamination of the river poses a direct and immediate risk to human life, potentially exposing thousands of residents to serious health complications.
When questioned about efforts to alert authorities through local radio stations, Ziadienu expressed frustration, stating that media outlets appear more interested in political discussions than environmental or public health concerns. He also noted that the affected fishermen have no direct contact with their Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Appeah, and that the local Assembly Member—himself a fisherman—is reportedly aware of the situation but has taken no visible action.
The development raises serious concerns about food safety, environmental pollution, and the long-term health of communities that depend on the Afram River for their livelihood and survival.
This report is a call to the general public, civil society organizations, and especially the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, and public health authorities to urgently investigate the cause of the salty tilapia and take immediate steps to protect lives, the ecosystem, and the fishing industry.
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