A study by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has detected elevated levels of potentially harmful chemical elements in soil and stream sediments in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region, raising concerns about environmental pollution and possible risks to public health.
The research identified elevated concentrations of lead, chromium and arsenic, alongside fluoride levels that researchers say require stronger environmental monitoring and sustainable remediation measures.
Professor Emmanuel Arhin, Head of the Department of Geospatial Sciences at UENR’s Dormaa Campus, disclosed the findings in an interview with Adom News during a symposium marking International Geodiversity Day 2026.
The event was held under the theme “Geodiversity on Our Doorsteps” to highlight the importance of understanding and protecting geological and environmental resources in local communities.
Prof. Arhin attributed the findings partly to decades of phosphate fertiliser use, agricultural chemicals, mining and other industrial and mechanical activities.
He said the study recorded soil fluoride concentrations of up to 287 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the 150 ppm threshold cited by the researchers.
The research examined the distribution of fluoride in soil and stream sediments to assess potential environmental risks and inform measures to limit long-term ecological damage.
Meanwhile, the Bono Regional Health Director, Dr. Abdulai Abubakari, warned that exposure to environmental contaminants could add to Ghana’s growing public health challenges.
He cited concerns about non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular conditions and certain cancers, and called for stronger collaboration among health professionals, environmental authorities, researchers and policymakers to prevent pollution and protect public health.
Former Environmental Protection Agency Chief Executive Henry Kwabena Kokofu, who attended the symposium as special guest of honour, called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and adequate support for institutions mandated to protect the environment.
Referring to the Environmental Protection Authority Act, 2025 (Act 1124), he stressed the need for the Authority to carry out its regulatory and enforcement duties professionally and independently.
Mr. Kokofu urged authorities to move beyond public commitments and take firm action against environmental offenders, irrespective of their status or political connections.
He said protecting the environment was essential to safeguarding water bodies, forests, biodiversity and public health, while ensuring that future generations inherit a safe and productive environment.
