Hundreds begin 95 km protest march against plans to mine bauxite in Ghana’s Atewa forest reserve

Desdemona Despair

By Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku
19 March 2018

(Citi News) – Members of a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape are embarking on a six-day walk from Kyebi in the Eastern Region to Accra, in a bid to put pressure on government to preserve the Atewa forest reserve against any form of mining activity.

The walk, which began on Saturday, 17 March 2018, is aimed at drawing government’s attention to rescind its decision to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest reserve.

“The walk will cover a total estimated distance of 95 km, starting from the forest landscape in the East Akyem District to the capital city, Accra. Six (6) selected water heroes from the forest landscape will engage in the walk; carrying water collected from the Densu River, Ayensu and Birim (which take their source from the Atewa Forest) to the President of Ghana,” a statement from the group said.

The walk dubbed: “Atewa Walk For Water” an event being organized ahead of this year’s world water day celebration is currently in its second day and will end on 22 March 2018.

Vice President Dr. Alhaji Bawumia in 2017 led a high powered government delegation to sign a $15 billion agreement with Chinese investors to mine bauxite at Atewa in the Eastern Region and Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region, a move the group believes will negatively affect the whole country.

In an interview with Citi News, the leader of the group, Darryl Bosu, stated that the country would benefit immensely from conserving the Atewa Forest reserve instead of what it will get from mining bauxite in it.

“Over 3 million Ghanaians benefit directly from the Atewa forest reserve, 3 main rivers like Ayensu, Densu and Birim take their source from the Atewa, and these rivers provide water for majority of people in the Eastern Region and the Greater Accra region on a daily basis.”

“What do we think will happen to these rivers should government embark on their decision to mine bauxite in the forest. A lot of companies thar use water will collapse, farmers who rely heavily on these rivers which flow through their farms to water their farm produce will have no water to do that, and it will end up affecting their cultivation which will cause food shortage. Villages which do not have access to potable water and rely on these rivers for their daily livelihood will also go through torrid times.”

Bosu added that, “the negativity far outweighs the immediate economic benefits the country stands to gain should they mine the bauxite”. [more]

Group begins 6-day walk to protest mining in Atewa forest

By Leticia Osei
17 March 2018

(Ultimate FM Online) – Hundreds of residents on the fringe communities of the Atewa Forest Reserve on Saturday commenced a six-day walk from Kyebi to Accra (95km) to protest government’s decision to mine bauxite in the Atewa Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.

The Protest March led by Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape marched from Sagyimase to Kyebi to petition the East Akyem Municipal Assembly, and Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin for the day of the exercise.

The government of Ghana has announced plans to leverage bauxite deposits in parts of Ghana for a $15 billion financial package from the Chinese government.

The Atewa Forest which is a Global Biodiversity Significant Area is part of current plans of Ghana to develop an integrated bauxite industry in Ghana.

However, the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape -a group made up of representatives of several NGOs, Youth Groups, Interfaith Groups, Forest Fora, Farmer Based Associations, Opinion Leaders, and Community Leaders that have the best long term interest of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area and all the areas surrounding Atewa Forest vehemently oppose the intended bauxite mining.

In a petition presented to Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the group enumerated the significance of the Atewa Forest reserve and the negative impact the intended bauxite mining will have on the forest which the brunt will be felt by millions of Ghanaians hence called on the Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa State to add his voice for government to rescind the decision and instead turn Atewa Forest into a National Park. [more]

Hundreds begin 95KM Protest march against gov’t’s plans to mine bauxite in Atewa Forest