The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Opanin has stated that, the traditional authority would not be in support of any bauxite exploration in the Atewa Forest reserve. With regards to mining in the forest reserve, the Okyenhene said: “Twenty years ago when I came on (the throne), we were talking about bauxite, I informed the Government that we don’t need bauxite exploration. This country has been mining for over a hundred years, and look at this; what we have to show is destruction, all kinds of respiratory diseases that come to our people.” The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin stated this when a delegation of the UN in Ghana paid a courtesy call at his Palace in Kyebi in the Eastern Region. The statement by the revered Chief would come as a disappointment to the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), who have been courting his support to enable them develop an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana, by fully harnessing the nation’s Bauxite resources including the Atewa forest reserve which is a biodiversity hotspot. A treasure of biodiversity Attempts by government through GIADEC to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest reserve have been met with a stiff opposition from Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders, describing the forest as a treasure of biodiversity and a ‘no go area’ for bauxite mining. Located in Ghana’s Eastern Region, Atewa Forest forms part of the threatened Upper Guinea Forest, one of the world’s global biodiversity hotpots. Atewa Forest is a Protected Forest Reserve, a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), and meets the conditions for Alliance for Zero Extinction status. The forest is home to many endangered, endemic and rare plants and animals, over 100 of which are threatened or near threatened with extinction. Four species are listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species, and many more as vulnerable. The forest is also home to five species believed to be endemic to the forest, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. The forest is also the source for the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers, which provide water for some five million people, including residents of the capital, Accra. Restriction to protect the nation’s resources According to the Okyenhene, it was important that restrictions were put in place to protect the nation’s forest, rivers and other water bodies from degradation. He said, to ensure sustainability of the nation’s rich natural resources and biodiversity, there was a need for local community ownership in their management. He noted that, climate change was real and it was imperative to act to save the earth from further destruction. The Okyenhene said, his forebearers knew the importance of conserving nature, that was why they prevented people from farming close to river banks and other water bodies.