In response to the allocation of mining rights in the Draw River Forest Reserve, a group of environmental advocates in Ghana has launched a petition urging the government to withdraw the concession and protect the reserve’s biodiversity.
The reserve, spanning 235km and designated as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GBSA), has been granted to Messrs. Betterland Ghana Ltd for mining activities, sparking outrage among conservationists.
The decision to grant mining rights in the reserve comes at a time when the Ghanaian government is actively promoting the Green Ghana program, aimed at conserving and restoring forest cover. Critics argue that allowing mining in the Draw River Forest Reserve contradicts the country’s environmental goals and risks irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
Small-scale mining in Ghana has been associated with pollution and environmental degradation, with concerns that the same could occur in the Draw River Forest Reserve if mining activities proceed unchecked. The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group is leading the charge in demanding action from President Akuffo Addo to rectify what they describe as an “egregious error.”
The group emphasized the importance of preserving the Draw River Forest Reserve as a national treasure and highlighted the potential consequences of turning it into a mining site. They urged the government to repeal LI2462, the legislation that granted mining rights in the reserve, and called for sustainable conservation measures to be implemented instead.
The petition has gained traction among citizens and environmentalists alike, with many expressing their support for the protection of the Draw River Forest Reserve. Social media campaigns and community outreach efforts are underway to raise awareness and garner more signatures for the petition.
As pressure mounts on the government to reconsider its decision, the fate of the Draw River Forest Reserve hangs in the balance, with advocates hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the reserve will be preserved for future generations.
Story by Samuel Asamoah
