Sacred Rivers, Polluted Waters: Have We Misplaced Our Priorities?

Growing up in a rural community, the river was part of our daily lives. It was where we fetched water for cooking and drinking. It was where we washed our clothes. It was where many children, including myself, swam after school. Looking back, I realize that what seemed normal then raises serious questions today.

More than three decades have passed, yet in many rural communities across Ghana, little has changed. Rivers continue to serve as the primary source of water for countless families, while at the same time they are used for washing clothes, bathing, and other activities that contaminate the very water people depend on.

What troubles me even more is the way we sometimes choose our priorities.

In some communities, traditional rules are strictly observed regarding rivers. For example, there are days when people are forbidden from fetching water because the river is considered sacred or reserved for traditional observances. These customs are respected, and community members generally comply.

Yet, in the same communities, washing with soap in the river, bathing, swimming, and other practices that directly pollute the water often continue without question. This raises an important concern: if a river is valuable enough to deserve protection on certain days, shouldn't it also be protected from pollution every day?

This is not an attack on culture or tradition. Our customs are an important part of our identity, and many traditional practices have helped communities conserve natural resources for generations. However, as our understanding of public health and environmental protection has grown, our priorities must also evolve.

Protecting our water bodies requires more than respecting customs. It requires practical action. Chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members, environmental health officers, and community members all have a role to play in promoting responsible behavior around our rivers and streams. Community bylaws, public education, and consistent enforcement can help preserve these vital water sources for future generations.

The reality is simple. A river cannot remain clean if it is treated as a washing bay while also serving as a source of drinking water. Communities that depend on untreated surface water deserve better protection.

Respect for our rivers should not be demonstrated only through ceremonial observances or restrictions on specific days. It should be reflected in our daily actions. The greatest honour we can give our rivers is to keep them clean, safe, and life-giving for everyone.

Perhaps it is time we asked ourselves a difficult but necessary question: Have we become more committed to preserving tradition than to protecting the health and well-being of the very people those traditions were meant to serve?

About the author:
Tsekpokumah Richard is an educator, climate advocate, and Founder of Ayeyi Impact Foundation. He writes on education, climate action, leadership, community development, governance, and public policy.

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