A mining operation’s attempt to illegally divert the sacred Birim River at Apapam has sparked outrage and drawn urgent calls for government action. The reckless activity, which destroyed part of an ecological restoration site at the edge of the Atewa Forest Reserve, represents a grave assault on Ghana’s natural heritage.
As necessary due diligence and follow-up to this development, we demand the following:
- The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WRC, and Minerals Commission must move beyond suspension. Apprehend Mr. Emmanuel Gamah and all involved. Prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law for illegal mining, environmental destruction, and cultural desecration.
- The perpetrator must be compelled to cover up all trenches and fully restore the destroyed planted site.
- Authorities must investigate any potential complicity at any level, including the mining company and all leaders involved.
We cannot build a sustainable future with this kind of escalating destruction of all our life-supporting systems, like rivers and forests, as exhibited by this egregious action.