Environmental NGO urges Ghana govt. and GIADEC to revoke the decision of bauxite mining in Atewa Forest

An environmental NGO, A Rocha Ghana, has urged the Ghana government and the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) to repeal the decision to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest.

A Rocha Ghana (ARG) has emerged as a committed environmental NGO providing practical conservation interventions aimed at contributing to the sustainable management of critical ecological habitats and initiating programmes aimed at facilitating the target community's ability to adapt to current trends in climate change and the impacts of a changing natural environment.

Addressing journalists on August 19, 2022, Mr Bosu said, "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 to save crucial water sources for over 5 million Ghanaians."

Daryl Bosu, the Deputy National Coordinator of A Rocha Ghana, said, "Atewa forest has been marked as a no-go area; therefore, the forest reserve needs to be protected for the benefit of Ghanaians.

"Failure to heed to this call will be intergenerationally suicidal and reckless. The lack of transparency and information throughout this process is unacceptable. Ghana's resources, including her forest, are for all Ghanaians. If the government is trying to keep communities and civil societies quiet, it will not work."

While a case against the government is set to move to trial, the government of Ghana, through the ministry, has granted a license to Vimetco Ghana Bauxite Ltd to conduct prospecting in the Atewa Forest.

In response to the government's decision to mine bauxite in the forest reserve, some environmental groups have expressed concern about the safety of the watershed and biodiversity hub.

GIADEC has assured Ghanaians that the project will adopt best practices in mining bauxite deposits in the Atewa Forest Reserve.

Micheal Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, said, "Atewa is a compassionate place to do bauxite mining because of our significant biodiversity in the Atewa Forest. Our plans for mining will be based on a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, as we know that three principal rivers originate in the Atewa Forest-the Ayensu, the Birim, and the Densu. This will ensure that where we mine and how we mine is very sensitive to the environmental issues unique to Atewa."

"GIADEC has completed a mineral resource estimate and currently carrying out biodiversity and hydrology studies for baseline information to develop a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)", he added.