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In the Ayensuano districts of the Eastern Region, the Forestry Commission decommissioned mining operations in parts of the Atewa Forest by burning four excavators at Obuohu Fante.
They believe that miners who were operating on the forest’s range have progressively extended their operations into parts of the Atewa Forest range. Daryl Bosu, Team Lead of an environmental non-governmental organization, A Rocha Ghana, wrote on Facebook that the action taken by the Forestry Commission is justified.
“These illegal operators initially begin their activities on the fringes of the forest and emboldened by impunity, gradually expanded their operations into the forest. This pattern has unfortunately become a common tactic among illegal miners in recent times,” he said.
“We applaud the Forestry Commission for their unwavering zero tolerance approach to illegal mining in the Atewa Forest and reaffirm our commitment to support their crucial effort every step of the way. Securing Atewa Forest is vital for water, climate and community well-being” he stated
However, after four excavators were burned at a mining location in the Atewa forest range, tensions are high in Obuohu Fante. People in the area are demanding explanations from forestry officials they suspect.
“They were only mining in the buffer, not inside the forest; this is our livelihood, and we cannot stop it.”
Rita Adjei Awatey, the head of the Eastern Regional Security Council, has responded to the occurrence by announcing that an investigation will be conducted.
As the investigation progresses, she also encouraged the locals to conduct responsible mining.
“We would start an investigation to find out which laws you have broken; I am not entirely aware of who or which institutions conducted the exercise.”
She issued the following warning: “Our government insists on responsible mining, stay away from forest reserve, reclaim lands, and avoid water bodies.”
To determine the extent of the harm caused by careless mining, she visited further mining locations in Ayinam and Osino.
The police also picked up four others to question at the mining sites in Ayinam and Osino. President John Mahama has pledged to cancel all mining permits in forest areas in the interim.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
