The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor has assured that the President Akufo-Addo government would not needlessly compromise the integrity of Atewa Forest but rather exploit it for the ultimate benefit of the Ghanaian people. "Government and GIADEC continue to be fully committed to the preservation of the Atewa Forest and ensure that the exploitation of the bauxite in Atewa is in the ultimate interest of the Ghanaian people and is in the public interest. They are also working to ensure that the integrity of the forest is preserved" Speaking to Aljazeera Media Network on Sunday 24th April, 2022, the Minister said Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) has Atewa Forest as one of the key projects being relentlessly pursued by government together with Awaso, Nyinahin - Mpasaaso, Kyebi and Valco projects, all in efforts to build an integrated iron and Aluminum industry.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor speaking to Aljazeera Media Network
Mr Jinapor added that "government is therefore putting in place measures to ensure that particularly, bauxite and iron ore are built with the full value chain retained here in Ghana and we have created bureaucracies here like the GIADEC and GISDEC which are going to be responsible for building the full value chain of this bauxite and iron ore" The Minister explained that the thin line between mining the bauxite and preserving the environment is striking a delicate balance to ensure that the country's industrilisation drive continues because these minerals he opined are the starting point for industrial development and prosperity of the country. "We cannot progress and unleash the prosperity our people so dearly need without industrialisation and we cannot industrialise without building these integrated bauxite and iron industries". The Minister maintained that government is also ensuring that the bauxite in Atewa is exploited in a manner that does not unreasonably compromise the ecological integrity of the forest. Touching on the production of Gold, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources indicated that government intends to keep Ghana's position as the leading producer of Gold and the 6th on the world scale and even do more. He added that the President of the Republic has plans of changing the equation of Ghana being a major resource rich country which only produces raw material to a country that builds and retains the full value chain of its Minerals. "Government is therefore making efforts to ensure that refineries in Ghana aquire the London Bullion Market Association Certification (LBMA) and become fit for purpose to participate in the global refinery industry."
All they see is bauxite, nothing else
Reacting to the assurance by the Minister, Mr Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Coordinator of A Rocha Ghana, an environmental NGO, noted that, it is obvious the government has not apprised itself of the opportunity cost of even considering mining the bauxite in Atewa Forest. He said, government is just plain refusing to listen and take the bold step of walking the talk when it really matters. “How is the government intending to not compromise the integrity of the forest, with relatable, tested, and proven technology and best practice? No one doubts the need to ensure value addition to our mineral resources, be it for gold, bauxite, cocoa, or whatever”, he asked. He said “If the government is really conscious of the thin line between industrialization and environmental sustainability, then they will ensure judicious use of our resources and undertake a comprehensive strategic environmental assessment of every destructive endeavor before they even go selling off our assets in financial deals”. Mr Bosu added,” all they see is bauxite…. nothing else matters”. According to him, the century-old, vicious political cycle of pursuing an extractive focused development agenda, without recourse to environmental due diligence and concern for the future is clearly retrogressive. “The same government is asking individuals, companies, military, and diplomatic entities to support the planting of 20M trees on the 10th of June when they know they are planning to commission the needless destruction of the most precious forest ecosystem in the country. Taking action to restore forests, is securing forests when it matters most. There is no justifiable economic and social explanation for planning to mine the 18% poor quality bauxite in Atewa Forest. The government needs to prove it if they say otherwise”, he added. Also commenting on the government assurance on Facebook, Mr Jasper Cudjoe Adamah, a Concern Citizen wrote “Sorry, but I find it difficult to read comments like "government will not needlessly compromise the integrity of #Atewa Forest but rather [exploit] it for the benefit of the Ghanaian people”. “The government has had very good intentions like making Accra the cleanest city in Africa for example. The results are glaringly obvious! Law enforcement in our country is practically zero, so how can we ensure that "exploiting" the Atewa forest is going to benefit Ghanaians and most importantly without comprising the number one element coming through the forests, WATER? A concerned citizen!”
Illegal mining activities in the Atewa Forest
Ama Serwa, also posted on Facebook “Please leave Atewa Forest Reserve as a Forest Reserve for the Green Economy. There is absolutely no need to destroy the ecosystem and endangered species and risk poisoning the source of water to over 5million people. Illegal Mining has polluted our water bodies, let's not add to the problem”.