Ama lived in a small village in the Western Region of Ghana.

Every morning, she fetched water from the clear Golden River that flowed behind their home.

The whole village depended on this river.

One day, while Ama walked to the River, she heard loud digging and machines rumbling.

Curious and confused, she hurried to see what was happening.

Ama reached the River and gasped. The once-clear water was now brown and muddy.

Big pits had been dug everywhere, and men were digging for gold. Ama whispered, "Galamsey..."

Galamsey is the illegal, small-scale gold mining in Ghana.

Soon, elders complained that the water was too dirty to drink.

The fish were disappearing. People fell sick.

Ama knew something had to be done.

Ama gathered her friends under the big odum tree.

"Let's tell everyone what is happening," she said. "If we all speak together, they will listen."

The next day, Ama and other children showed the muddy water and explained how galamsey was destroying the land.

The elders listened carefully.

With the help of the chiefs, forest guards, and community members, the galamsey site was shut down.

The pits were filled, and young trees were planted.

Months later, the River began to clear. Fish returned.

Children played by the water again.

Ama smiled proudly. She had helped save the Golden River.