–BY Daniel Bampoe
The youth of Akyem Sagyemanse in the Abuakwa North Municipality of the Eastern Region has issued a passionate and strongly worded communiqué condemning alleged attempts by a politically connected individual to engage in illegal mining activities in the protected Atewa Forest Reserve.
The group, representing local chiefs, farmers, environmental activists, traditional authorities, and civil society groups, warns that any encroachment on the forest will be met with firm resistance.
Two months ago, residents of Sagyemanse got wind of a covert approach made to their local chief by a man known only as Prince Kegya, a native of Bodua and reportedly the son of the late Amankrado of that town. Kegya is accused of attempting to acquire 800 acres of land within the Atewa Forest—a designated protected area since 1926—for what the youth describe as illegal and destructive mining operations.
The concerned youth group alleges that Kegya has used his high-level political connections to evade scrutiny and accountability.
Following the tip-off, members of the youth group conducted inquiries at the Koforidua Regional Office of the Minerals Commission.
According to their findings, no official license or permit had been issued for mining in the Atewa Reserve, and any individual caught attempting such operations should be arrested immediately.
Strategic Gateway
Sagyemanse holds a strategic position as the geographic gateway into the Atewa Forest, making it the most probable access route for any industrial machinery aiming to breach the forest’s perimeter.
The youth assert that this makes their vigilance even more critical, as the forest’s destruction could start at their very doorstep.
They vowed to mobilize their community to block any individual or corporate interest seeking to exploit the forest’s resources unlawfully, pledging to use all legal and civic avenues to protect what they call “a national and global treasure.”
Historical and Ecological Significance of Atewa
The Atewa Forest Reserve originally declared a protected zone under British colonial administration in 1926, is one of Ghana’s last remaining upland evergreen forests.
Traditionally held as sacred by the Akyem people, the forest provided medicinal plants, clean water, and hunting grounds for generations.
Globally, Atewa is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and an Important Bird Area (IBA).
It is home to over 1,100 plant species, 230 species of birds, 50 mammals, and more than 1,000 species of butterflies. Endangered animals like the white-naped mangabey and the Afia Birago puddle frog—found nowhere else in the world—inhabit its depths.
Perhaps even more critically, Atewa serves as the watershed for three major rivers: the Birim, Ayensu, and Densu.
These rivers supply drinking water to over five million Ghanaians and support agriculture across several regions, including the capital city of Accra.
Mounting Dangers of Mining
The youth detailed the potentially catastrophic consequences of mining in the forest.
These include:
Water Pollution: Toxic chemicals such as cyanide, mercury, and heavy metals from mining would poison vital water sources, posing risks of cancer, kidney failure, and other severe health conditions.
Livelihood Destruction: Farming, fishing, herbal medicine, and eco-tourism—staples of the local economy—would be devastated.
Public Health Threats: Exposure to radioactive elements like uranium and thorium from bauxite mining could lead to respiratory illnesses and waterborne diseases.
Community Displacement: Entire communities, including Sagyemase, Osino, and Bunso, could face forced evictions, sparking land conflicts and potential violence.
On a national scale, the group argues that Ghana stands to lose more than it gains.
The short-term financial benefits of bauxite mining cannot outweigh the long-term environmental damage, economic losses in agriculture and tourism, and the public health burden.
Moreover, such activities contravene Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Global Repercussions
Internationally, mining in Atewa could set off a chain of irreversible losses. It would lead to the extinction of rare and endemic species, significantly weaken Ghana’s ability to meet climate targets and pollute transboundary water systems that stretch into neighboring countries like Togo and Benin. Given Ghana’s role as a global cocoa producer, contamination of water resources could even destabilize the global chocolate supply chain.
Echoes of Sinohydro Controversy
The communiqué also draws attention to prior government attempts to exploit Atewa’s bauxite under the controversial $2 billion Sinohydro deal with China—a plan met with significant backlash from environmentalists and international NGOs.
Though temporarily halted, many fear this new attempt may be part of a larger strategy to restart mining efforts under the radar.
Call to Action
The Concerned Youth of Sagyemanse issued five major demands:
1. Immediate cessation of all mining-related activities in and around Atewa Forest.
2. Official designation of the forest as a National Park for permanent protection.
3. Respect for community rights through transparent and inclusive decision-making.
4. Promotion of sustainable alternatives such as eco-tourism and green enterprises.
5. Strict enforcement of environmental laws and international commitments.
They have pledged to work alongside environmental organizations like A Rocha Ghana, Save Atewa Alliance, and the Coalition of NGOs Against Mining in Atewa to resist any form of encroachment.
