CONAMA to government: Mining in Atewa Forest will be suicidal
The Coalition of Non Governmental Organisation Against Mining in Atewa (CONAMA) believes the government has not been forthright with Ghanaians on mining in the reserve
The Coalition of Non Governmental Organisation Against Mining in Atewa (CONAMA) has warned any attempt by government to mine in the Atewa Forest Reserve will be intergenerational suicidal and reckless .
According to CONAMA, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Authority (GIADEC) has been granted a lincense dated 27 July 2022 to prospect for bauxite in the Atewa Forest despite a ban on mining in forest reserves.
Addressing a news conference on Friday (19 August) on the development, Deputy Executive Director of Arocha Ghana , a member of CONAMA, Daryl Bosu said certain information provided by GIADEC and government on the developemnt is misleading.
“We reiterate that, regardless of how small the area planned for bauxite mining, Atewa must not be mined for bauxite. The government and GIADEC must rescind their plans immediately. Ghana can have a thriving integrated aluminium industry without targeting Atewa Forest, in order to save crucial water sources for over 5 million Ghanaians. Failure to heed to this call, will be intergenerationally suicidal and reckless.” he said.
“The lack of transparency and the misinformation throughout this process is unacceptable. Ghana’s resources including her forests are for all Ghanaians. If government is trying to keep communities and civil society quiet, it will not work.”
Bosu added “The Okyenhene has made a clarion call for Ghana to pursue a pathway of making Atewa Forest a National Park to pave way for several compatible green developments, and we fully support this and will rally behind that goal. We will therefore never give up defending the Atewa Forest from a development that is both unnecessary and unlawful and we ask all well-meaning Ghanaians to add their voices to secure Atewa Forest for today and tomorrow.”
Below is the full statement:
GIADEC LICENSE FOR ATEWA FINAL STATEMENT
Fred Dzakpata
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