Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has attributed the deaths of some illegal miners to the pollution of water bodies across the country.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV on September 3, 2026, Nana Kwaku Bonsam claimed that traditional priests have undertaken spiritual activities aimed at dealing with the effects of illegal mining.

“When this current government came to power, things are happening. We followed up on galamsey and we did spiritual works. We did a press conference and met with all priests,” he said.

According to him, the collapse of galamsey pits resulting in the deaths of illegal miners is not receiving enough attention.

“Galamsey pits collapsing and killing illegal miners are not being reported. Ever since we started making sacrifices and rituals with goats and cows, the people who have died are beyond discussion,” he claimed.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam said the deaths were linked to the alleged spiritual consequences of destroying and polluting water bodies through illegal mining.

“Nananom that are killing them. That’s because they’re polluting our water bodies,” he stated.

'My shirt costs $3,500, my watch is Royal Oak' – Nana Kwaku Bonsam 'brags'

Explaining his beliefs about the spiritual significance of water, the traditional priest revealed that water possesses spiritual powers and can respond to what is communicated to it.

“Water is a spirit; when you talk, it listens and it does whatever you want it to do for you. That’s why when someone curses with water, it actually manifests,” he explained.

He further stated that deities are believed in Akan traditional religion to have powers that can be invoked through certain rituals.

“Deity is not ours, but when you curse with it, it will work,” he shared.

Kwaku Bonsam also narrated what he described as the consequences of seeking permission from the deities to extract gold from water bodies without considering the environmental damage that follows.

“When you go and tell the gods that there’s gold in the water so they should permit you to take it, they have no idea you’re coming to pollute the water, so they would allow you to get it,” he noted.

He concluded with a warning to illegal miners, saying the destruction of water bodies in the search for gold could ultimately leave communities facing a severe shortage of the same resource they have polluted.

“But after getting the gold, you will get thirsty,” he added.

“GALAMSEY PITS COLLAPSING AND KILLING GALAMSEYERS IS DUE TO RITUALS BY THE ‘NANANOM’” — NANA KWAKU BONSAM

Nana Kwaku Bonsam makes a controversial claim about the frequent collapse of galamsey pits and the deaths of illegal miners, alleging that rituals performed by the “Nananom”… pic.twitter.com/xFAYPiMjVR

— #OnuaTV (@OnuaTV) September 3, 2026