Chiefs and elders within the Atewa enclave have distanced themselves from a demonstration organised by members of a group calling itself the Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape to protest against the government’s plan to mine bauxite in the Atewa Forest Reserve.
The youth group on Tuesday embarked on the march from Sagyimase to Kyebi to say no to the mining of bauxite.
They claim the forest, which provides drinking water to five million people and harbours over 100 wildlife species, would be destroyed if the government goes on with its plans to mine its bauxite.
But, in a twist of events, the chiefs and elders, on the other hand, have given their blessing to the government to mine the mineral.
They gave their backing in a statement signed on behalf of the other chiefs and community elders of Appam, Afisa, Ahwenease, Adadientem, Pano, Adukrom, Sagyimase, Bunso, Nsutem, Mampong, and Osino.
The statement was signed by Osabarima Marfo Kwabrane, Kyebihene/Abontendomhene; Osabarima Okogyeaman, Kyebi – Apapamhene; Nana Oye Gyau, Asiakwa – Amankrado; and Baffour Kyere Koranteng, Asikam – Amankrado.
They expressed confidence that with the birth of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), the government would come up with environmentally-friendly and sustainable ways in developing the bauxite reserve.
“We must emphasize that we are not aware of any chief or community that is against the bauxite mining, but rather, the consensus is for us to continue engaging the government to ensure the project is implemented in a responsible and sustainable manner,” the statement said.
The chiefs, in their statement, said, “We also believe for over hundred years, the forest has remained a reserve awaiting a President like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has proven to Ghanaians, he is a President of possibilities and will ensure value is added to our resources to achieve his vision of a Ghana beyond Aid agenda”.
They praised the establishment of GIADEC as a useful entity not to destroy resources but to develop them for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“We will like to state that we the undersigned and Nananom living on the fringes of the reserve disassociate ourselves from the demonstration organized by the concerned citizens of the Atewa landscape.
“We call on Ghanaians living home and abroad to remember that Ghana beyond aid can only be achieved if we allow the Government through our supervision as citizens to develop our resources competitively and sustainably through innovative ways,” the statement ended.
The chiefs rejected calls by campaigners for Atewa Forest to be earmarked for a national park, a view which they said was contrary to that of the people of Atewa.
For over a hundred years, the Atewa Forest has remained a reserve, but lately, the forest is fast losing its biodiversity potential due to illegal logging, indiscriminate tree felling and lack of effective management plans for the reserve.