The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) are drawing the attention of the government to what it described as a deepening environmental emergency where illegal mining activities (galamsey) are devastating the Atewa Forest and its critical rivers such as the Birim, Densu and Ayensu. In a statement, it said, for the past two months, the Kibi Water Treatment Plant has remained shut down due to dangerously high turbidity levels, cutting off thousands of residents from safe drinking water. "Pollution levels in our rivers have risen beyond measure, destroying aquatic life and threatening the very survival of downstream communities", it said. The group added that "As we celebrate the vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, let us also protect the future he fought for, one of dignity, prosperity, and sustainability. To allow the Atewa Forest and its rivers to collapse under the weight of greed is to betray not only our generation but generations unborn". Below is the full statement by CCAL copied to ghenvironment.com in Accra. CCAL Demands State of Emergency on Galamsey and Resetting of Polluted Rivers (DENSU, AYENSU AND BIRIM) KIBI, Eastern region. Ghana As Ghana observes Founder’s Day on 22nd September 2025, the *Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL)* are compelled to draw national attention to a deepening environmental emergency. Illegal mining activities (galamsey) are devastating the Atewa Forest and its critical Rivers, the *Birim, Densu and Ayensu.* For the past two months, the Kibi Water Treatment Plant has remained shut down due to dangerously high turbidity levels, cutting off thousands of residents from safe drinking water. Pollution levels in our rivers have risen beyond measure, destroying aquatic life and threatening the very survival of downstream communities. What CCAL Calls For 1. Declaration of a State of Emergency on Galamsey: Treat illegal mining as a national crisis requiring urgent, full-scale intervention. 2. Night and Day Enforcement: Commend all MMDCEs and Security Services for their collaboration with NGOs to clamp down on galamsey operators during the day, but urge them to extend operations to the night, when the majority of illegal miners are most active. 3.Water Security: CCAL proposes resetting our rivers as a national agenda i.e. tracing and tracking the source of the pollution. Immediate rehabilitation of the Kibi Water Plant and provision of alternative water supplies for affected communities until restoration is achieved. 4. Accountability, Arrest and Prosecution: Strict enforcement of environmental laws, prosecution of perpetrators, and sanctions against officials found complicit. 5. Alternative Livelihoods Projects: Provide sustainable jobs for the youth and communities so that galamsey is no longer seen as the only means of survival. A Call to Conscience: As we celebrate the vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, let us also protect the future he fought for , one of dignity, prosperity, and sustainability. To allow the Atewa Forest and its rivers to collapse under the weight of greed is to betray not only our generation but generations unborn. We call upon the President, Parliament, and all stakeholders to rise to the occasion, declare galamsey a national emergency NOW! Issued by: *Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL)* Contact: AMPEM DARKO (PRO) 0244245373 Asumaku Paul (Coordinator) 0242924377