Group vows to resist attempts to mine bauxite in Atewa forest; threatens to sue gov’t over the matter

The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) have issued fresh threats to drag government to court over its decision to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest.

The group is part of numerous Civil Society Organizations which have kicked against government’s decision to mine in the reserve.

Government’s quest to mine in Atewa is part of a $2 billion Chinese infrastructure deal.

But the groups contend mining in the reserve which has been described as a Heritage site will destroy the forest and deprive the country and West Africa of their biggest forest reserve.

Speaking in an interview with The Ghana Report, convener of the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape, Oteng Adjei said they will explore all avenues to prevent government from mining bauxite in the reserve.

“we will sue government if they don’t rescind their decision to mine in Atewa. You can’t say you want to protect lives and property and still want to destroy the Atewa forest. The forest is one of the special reserves we have in the world. There are some species of even butterflies that can only be found in the Atewa forest. It is a whole laboratory on its own. So why do they want to destroy all this with bauxite mining?” he quizzed

Though there have been numerous assurances from government that it will adopt responsible mining techniques to ensure the ecosystem of the entire landscape is not destroyed, Mr Oteng Adjei challenged government to use the technology in the Awasa enclave in the Western region since that area is already known for bauxite mining.

“they say there is a technology they will use in mining which will not destroy the forest. If they claim they have that, they should go and use it at Awaso. They’re already mining bauxite in Awaso so they should take it there for us to see. Why won’t they use that same technology for mining there? We will resist every attempt to mine in Atewa. We have a road map and we will follow it. We will not relent on our efforts to fight this” Oteng Adjei stated.

Meanwhile, the concerned citizens of Atewa Landscape are expected to embark on a demonstration in the Eastern region to petition the Overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa state, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin over the matter.