NGOs caution government against Atewa forest mining

A coalition of NGOs advocating for better treatment of the environment have strongly cautioned government to rescind its decision to mine in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.

The Coalition which is spearheaded by A Rocha Ghana indicated that the value of the Atewa Forest is indispensable and thus the country cannot risk mining in there.

According to them, the country can boast of several other areas where bauxite can be found therefore government should concentrate there.

Contrary to claims that Ghana had accepted a loan facility of $19 billion from China, Vice President Mahama revealed that the amount involved was a $15 billion facility for a joint venture.

He also disclosed that as part of the deal, Ghana will use its bauxite reserves as leverage for its side of the bargain.

The Atewa Forest was listed as the site for the bauxite mining to take place much to the displeasure of the concerned NGOs.

The coalition insisted that government ought to delist the Atewa Range Forest Reserve and concentrate on other areas where this precious mineral can be located.

“We are requesting government to as a matter of urgency, expunge the Atewa Range Forest in Kyebi out of the deal with the Chinese. The Senior Minister has indicated that Atewa is not on the list but has also indicated the possibility of Mining close to the Range. This latest statement is not convincing enough and we ask for complete delisting of Atewa Range from the bauxite deal,” it was noted.

They cautioned government not to be too excited about the prospects of the China deal stating that “not all that glitters is gold”.

They remarked that the Atewa Forest is an asset that “cannot be traded for all the money in the world”.