Don’t touch Atewa forest – Experts warn government against mining in reserve
Experts in the extractive industry are warning of grave consequences if Ghana goes ahead to extract bauxite in the Atewa forest.
It has been estimated that $1.7 trillion will be spent in 2023 on Clean Technologies due to the dramatic spike in demand for metals and minerals worldwide.
This has raised concerns among environmentalists, civil society and Industry about the need to decarbonize the process for extraction.
Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Dr Steve Manteaw is warning any attempt by government to degrade the Atewa forest will not auger well for the country.
Between 2000 and 2019, 3,264km square of forest was directly lost due to industrial mining with 80 percent occurring in Ghana, Brazil, Indonesia and Suriname.
Ghana signed onto the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative in 2003 and is among 55 countries that have agreed to a common set of rules to promote good governance in the management of its natural resources.
The Atewa range is the site of an important forest reserve, and the source of three major rivers. It contains ancient bauxitic soils.
Experts in the extractive industry say though they admit that the growing demand for minerals continue to drive deforestation worldwide, it will be dangerous for any government to think of mining bauxite in the Atewa forest.
In the middle of the Atewa forest is the Supon River which feeds into the Birim River, a key source of drinking water for the people in the eastern region.
Deputy National Director of conservationist group, Arocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu says the current high turbidity level of the river which stands at 11.5 NTU must prompt government to maintain its quality.
Program Officer, West Africa at the Ford foundation Emmanuel Kuyole says the next EITI conference scheduled on June 13 this year will deliberate on sanctioning member countries who disobey the rules on protecting their natural resources.
The EITI standards advocates effective citizen participation. Mr Kuyole says without such participation, there is the danger of serious environmental damage, corruption and social harm.
Source: Ghana News
