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.