The group, calling itself the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape, began its walk on Sunday to urge the government to revise its decision.

[contextly_sidebar id=”K7ThDForBed2KfAh6qFRDJbTqxAZ1FdQ”]The group walked from Apedwa to Suhum on Tuesday and paid a courtesy call on the Suhum chief Osabarima Ayeh Kofi, who warmly welcomed them and received their petition.

However, the outspoken Municipal Chief Executive, who refused to receive the group’s petition when they went to her office, accused the organizers of conniving with certain individuals in a bid to undermine President Akufo-Addo’s government.

She stated that these individuals had not protested when the operations of illegal miners were destroying water bodies, suggesting that their response to the government’s plans was hypocritical.

“About 15 years ago when the small-scale miners were destroying farmlands and water bodies where was this group called concerned citizens? But now that President Nana Addo wants to provide jobs for youth suddenly this group comes out protesting. Nana Addo will not just rise up and say he is coming to destroy water bodies, I know feasibility studies have been conducted already and the site has been visited so I think it would have been wise for some leaders of your group to approach the Presidency or Chief of Staff on a one-on-one level and discussed this rather than demonstrating on the roads,” she told the group’s leaders.

She continued, “this act of yours is very bad. You are showing and sending bad signals that people in the President’s hometown have risen against his decision to mine bauxite at Atewa but I know certain individuals have put you guys up to this to take the president on. Am really not happy about this thing you are doing and I do not support your walk.”

Margaret Darko, outraged by the group’s protest, advised them to rather embrace government’s decision to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest to help provide jobs for youth in the area.

“The government is not at war with the citizens. If a government comes to power and promises residents of the provision of jobs I believe it is a good thing that needs backing from all of you because the unemployed youths will all be employed. The issue of unemployment has become a burden for us all as we always think about it and make daily deliberations on it. When people come to influence you to do such things ask yourselves, what you guys will achieve in the future and the implications of it. I must say you cannot force me to take your petition but I am offering you a piece of advice, next time think about the implications of your acts.”

The leadership of the group were however dumbfounded by the utterances of the Municipal Chief Executive but went on to plead with her to accept and consider the petition.

The convenor of the group, Mr Daryl Bosu assured her that their actions were not politically or individually motivated but are solely to protect the source water for the over 5 million Ghanaians who directly benefit from water from the river Densu, Ayensu and Birim which take their source from the Atewa forest.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Suhum MCE slams protests against mining in Atewa forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the group, some three River bodies namely; Ayensu, Densu and Birim, that supply parts of the country including the capital city, Accra with water, will be affected if mining of bauxite is allowed in the forest.

Member of the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape last Saturday began a six day walk from the Eastern Region to Accra in protest of mining in the Atewa forest reserve.

The 95 km walk dubbed: “Atewa Walk For Water” is currently in its third day and will end on March 22, 2018 after which they will petition the presidency and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Leader of the group, Daryl Bosu, said although they are not against mining, they want the forest, which has a lot of tourism potential to be protected.

“Water supply to some 5 million people is at stake and we cannot afford that because we want to do bauxite mining at all cost at every place, so whether it is good or bad, we will do it. We don’t always have to mine every place because we need to mine. There are certain development measures we have to put in place.”

“For a place like Atewa, providing water should be a priority for all of us. So we need to align it with development that is also compatible with the water provision service, and that is what we are saying. We are not a group against mining bauxite per se, but we are particularly against mining bauxite because of the water provision services. That is very key to us. One of the areas that need to be off the list of government mining prospects is the Atewa forest,” he added.

He also used the Awaso Township in the Ashanti Region where bauxite mining has been done for the past 70 years as a case study to buttress his point.

He complained that there is currently nothing to show for the over 70 years of bauxite mining at Awaso.

“Aside the destruction of green vegetation in Awaso, their water bodies were adversely affected due to the bauxite mining. I want you to go to Awaso and see the state of the communities there. 78 years of bauxite mining yet the communities are in deplorable state. You will weep when you talk to the people over there. Their water body is called Awa, but they can no longer use it. That is why we are saying that we don’t want this to happen to Atewa,” Daryl Bosu added.

The group’s protest comes on the back of a $15 billion agreement signed between a government delegation led by Vice President Dr. Alhaji Bawumia  in 2017, and some Chinese investors to mine bauxite at Atewa in the Eastern Region and Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region.

The group is of the view that the deal is not in the best interest of the country and should be halted.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Water for 5m at stake, don’t mine bauxite in Atewa forest – Group appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The walk, which began on Saturday March 17, 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 March 22, 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 outwits the immediate economic benefits the country stands to gain should they mine the bauxite”.

Daryl Bosu further called on civil society organizations to join hands to save the Atewa forest and its water bodies.

“We believe if government upgrades and elevates the Atewa forest reserve into a national park just like the Kakum park, it will boost the tourism industry, boost the local economy by providing jobs for the local citizens, create and improve market in the areas, pull investors to construct hotels, rest stops and restaurants for tourists who will come from far and near to experience the natural beautiful scenery and environment with all these wonderful species of animals and flying insects. Recently, an endangered species of monkey was found in the Atewa forest which cannot be found anywhere in Africa.”

“We are concerned about the lives of the millions of people in the country who depend on water so we are calling on all and sundry to join the campaign and save the Atewa forest to save our water”.

The group began the walk from Segyimase to Kyebi where they petitioned the Municipal Chief Executive of East Akyem and Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, the overlord of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.

The group will however continue the walk from Apedwa to Suhum through to Nsawam, Pokuase, Accra and round it up at the Flagstaff house where a petition will be presented to President Nana Akufo-Addo.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Group begins 6-day walk to protest mining in Atewa forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Critics have warned that the deal to exploit the about-$460 billion worth of bauxite in the area could potentially pollute water sources, like the River Birim, around the reserves, but speaking on the BBC’s Focus on Africa on Thursday, Mr. Osafo Maafo indicated that the bauxite could be exploited without harming the river.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zbw0Cyquyvq4va4T1kctZtVffEisBLls”]The Senior Minister also said there could be a scenario where the Atiwa forest was not considered for bauxite exploration.

He noted that “there are two major deposits of bauxite in Ghana, the bigger one is the Nyinahin deposit, and not the Atiwa one. Therefore, what we are talking about can be done without touching the Atiwa [Forest].”

But in the event it became necessary to tap into the bauxite deposits in Atiwa, Mr. Osafo Maafo said this could be done without polluting the Birim.

“You can exploit the bauxite in Atiwa from the north-eastern side without affecting the River Birim… The bauxite deposit covers a very extensive area. The river takes its sources from a particular side and you can do it without affecting the river source.”

The Birim River is already heavily polluted as a result of illegal mining activities.

Deal will benefit ordinary Ghanaian

On the long-term benefits of the deal, the Senior Minister toed the line of the Akufo-Addo administration’s rhetoric on job creation and said the government was “more that satisfied that this will benefit the ordinary Ghana.”

“The creation of employment out the exploitation of our natural resources can only be beneficial to our people in terms of job creation. If you have $460 billion worth of items and you need $10 billion to access it and create employment in the region of over 100,000, then what you must be mindful of is the price at which you barter this product for the $10 billion.”

Cautious Optimism with China deal

After the Vice President returned from China with news of the $15 billion commitment from the Asian powerhouse, the Director of the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEDC), Dr. Steve Manteaw urged cautious optimism with respect to the conditions of the deal.

The Vice President had indicated that the China deal would leverage heavily on Ghana’s untapped natural resources such as bauxite and iron ore.

The environmental angle soon came to the fore when an opposition MP and former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini warned of far-reaching implications on Atiwa, which has been declared a global biodiversity area because of the presence of exotic species.

Also, A Rocha Ghana, a conservationist NGO, said Ghana risked a severe water crisis if it sacrificed its bauxite resources in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

The NGO said more than 5 million Ghanaians including residents in some parts of Accra may not have access to potable water when the move is initiated.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Atiwa bauxite can be explored without harming Birim – Osafo Maafo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said this  when the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, popularly known as Obour, and some musicians paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Monday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2dsExtyfiJu1GFJBlQhOvRGBSBDy7p5l”]The musicians, including Richie Mensah, Nero X, Sheriffa Gunu, Kojo Rana and Helen Van Der Hombergh from Greenbeats in Netherlands, are ambassadors of a local NGO, “A-Rocha Ghana” who are championing the campaign for the protection of the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

The Okyehene said he has always supported the idea to turn the Atiwa Forest into a National Park.

He said, “the forest was given to us by our fore fathers many years ago. I love nature and I love green environment. Eight years ago, I led a delegation to see the appropriate authorities for the Atiwa Forest Reserve to be turned into a National Park just like we have Bole National Park in the north and Kakum National Park in the Central Region, but upon series of meetings nothing has been done about it.”

He said he was excited by the initiviate taken up by the musicians to launch the mass campaign to save the Atiwa Forest Reserve from encroachment.

“I am very happy that you guys have taken it upon yourselves to also add your voice for Atiwa Forest to be turned into a National Park. There are a lot of benefits that we as a country will derive from preserving the Atiwa Forest because when I proposed that the forest be turned into a National Park, I had scientists and researchers who came around and from their research and findings they came out with astonishing facts and figures showing different species of medicinal plants and animals like butterflies, frogs, birds, monkeys and several others who inhabits the forest.”

Okyehene Amoatia Ofori- Panyin II further pledged his support to the cause saying “I applaud your efforts and I promise to use whatever I have to ensure that you guys succeed in the quest to preserve the natural forest because I believe most of the health problems we face today can be solved by preserving our green environment and using the medicinal plants appropriately.”

“We do not have generational thinkers now, all our leaders think of is making monies now, and not looking ahead into the future for the next generation. Our fore father’s were generational thinkers, that is why we still have the Atiwa Forest because they enacted laws which were not policed by anyone. They insisted that out of the 7 days we have in a week, 2 days be set aside for the forest to rest and replenish so no one entered the forest during the two-day period. ”

” I know a lot of people will criticise you negatively as they did to me when I decided to fight galamsey, but I entreat that you remain focused and soar higher and your goals will be reached, together we will work tirelessly to ensure that Atiwa Forest becomes a National Park.”

On his part, the President of MUSIGA, Bice Osei Osei Kuffour, thanked the Chief for his support saying “we are very grateful for your deep advice, we have been enlightened more and we know for a fact that it will help us and boost our morale to go all heights to reach out to government to pass a legislation to make the Atiwa Forest a National Park”

“Nana, our major worry is the number of people who are being affected by the activities of illegal miners, their acts are polluting the rivers Densu, Birim and other 19 streams which also take their source from the Atiwa forest. Over 5 million people in our country depend on these rivers for water daily, and if nothing is done about preserving the forest it will be dangerous in the near future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the group has composed a campaign song for the project titled “Atiwa till eternity”, after a night’s camping in the forest.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Okyehene commits to fighting galamsey in Atiwa forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The artists and a local NGO, A-Rocha Ghana have partnered to undertake advocacy and education activities in local mining communities under a project dubbed “Save Atewa forest”.

[contextly_sidebar id=”d1FXRLZZZED2nF9L2EoNhgDLR4clLUJF”]The Atiwa  forest is a mineral-rich forest reserve in Ghana with deposits of Gold and Bauxite in commercial quantity.

The forest has in recent times suffered various activities of illegal mining and cutting of timber which has destroyed the natural forest and affected the Densu, Ayensu and Birim Rivers.

About 19 streams have also been affected by the unfortunate development.

The involvement of the entertainers to the project is to enducate the general public on the need to maintain and preserve the natural forest.

Speaking to Citi News, Bice Osei Kuffour expressed regret at the alarming rate at which the Atiwa Forest was being depleted.

“It is really disheartening when you look at the mess which is created by the activities of illegal galamsey and chainsaw operators in this country. They mine the lands, fell trees and sometimes even set fire on portions of the land where the hunt and farm, and these activities are depleting the AAries forest.”

“It is high time we all come on board as ambassadors to add our voices to help save and preserve the rich natural Atiwa forest. I believe if we do not act now, it will be too late.”

Bice Osei Kuffour added that the group will lobby to get the government to pass a legislation to make the Atiwa Forest a National Park as a measure to help protect the forest.

“As part of our program, we will go to the appropriate authorities with our findings and impress on that the government to pass a legislation to ensure that the Atiwa forest Reserve is made a National Park to prevent illegal miners from mining in the forest and also stop other encroachers like chainsaw operators and hunters from undertaking their activities. We believe this will protect and save the forest for the future generations”.

Other musicians supporting the project include; Nero X, Sherifa Gunu and the Patch Bay band. The group will visit some galamsey sites and interact with the miners. They will also camp in the Atewa forest over night to take inspiration from the natural environment and compose series of songs for the campaign.

The group is also expected to pay a courtesy call on the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin II on Monday February 27, 2017 at his palace at part of the program.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Obour, Richie, others join fight against galamsey in Atewa forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.