CEO GIADEC
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN’s) Resolution 087 passed in November 2020 urged the protection of the Atewa Forest, which received overwhelmingly support, “STRONGLY REQUESTS” all companies in the mining sector not to participate in any mining activities in or near Atewa Forest and all companies using aluminium to ensure that no aluminium from Atewa Forest enters their supply chains”.
According to the NGO, the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) have made it very clear that they do not want mining companies entering their forests and destroying their resources, livelihoods, and clean water sources.
It said Civil society groups support their stand and urged caution to any private sector company interested in mining bauxite in the Atewa Forest, adding, "A number of aluminium user companies have already stated their objections to aluminium produced with bauxite from Atewa."
"If GIADEC is to fulfil its stated commitment to international best practices and standards, the Atewa Forest must be completely off limits to bauxite mining.
"GIADEC has done one good thing, though, by raising the issue of illegal mining and forest destruction in Atewa Forest, stating we will one day “get up and find that there is no forest at all”. Civil society has also made this point countless times over the years".
The statement said, the destruction of state gazetted forests by illegal activities should be the concern of any state agency that has the wellbeing of Ghanaians at its centre and that citizens should not have to fight government agencies to ensure that they benefit from the judicious and sustainable use of their country's natural resources.
"Or is the government and its agencies deliberately allowing the forest to be decimated by illegal actors, to serve as justification for mining it? A typical case of “give the dog a bad name so you can hang it”? (while communities continue to suffer the impacts?).
It said the problem observed by GIADEC will only get worse with bauxite mining: building mining roads into closed forests opens up currently inaccessible areas to illegal operators, adding that, "the illegal mining and logging you see today will flourish in the protected area once GIADEC facilitate access for illegal actors."
The statement said, there were currently several non-extractive uses for forests such as Atewa Forest that have significant prospects of harnessing green investments that will offer quality green jobs and ensure wellbeing for all.
"We urge GIADEC to work with us to explore these green investments for the benefits of Ghanaians today and tomorrow".
Climate Change & Energy
There Is No Propaganda In Saving Atewa Forest From Destruction- A Rocha Replies Giadec
Source: ghenvironment.com - April 8, 2021
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