Several environmental groups have raised alarm over an attempted illegal diversion of the sacred Birim River at Apapam in the Eastern Region, allegedly carried out by a mining company operating from Kwabeng.
In a joint release issued on Monday, August 18, A Rocha Ghana, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, and the Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape strongly criticised the incident, describing it as a reckless assault on one of Ghana’s most important natural and cultural resources.
According to the groups, the company had dug trenches and constructed a channel to redirect the Birim River right at the point where it flows out of the ecologically sensitive Atewa Forest Reserve. The unlawful activity was brought to a halt only after swift public outcry and intervention.
“This reckless attempt, coming at a time when the country is still mourning the tragic loss of eight gallant citizens who died fighting illegal mining, is not only an attack on Ghana’s natural heritage but also a clear violation of the laws that govern the use of our resources,” the statement read.
In response, officials from the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Minerals Commission, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) rushed to the site. The NIB reportedly arrested a security officer stationed there for questioning.
The
groups further revealed that the operation destroyed part of a three-year-old
ecological restoration site, wiping out valuable native trees such as mahogany,
emire, and ofram.
Following
their investigations, they made the following demands:
- The Ministry of Lands and
Natural Resources, EPA, WRC, and Minerals Commission must go beyond
suspending operations and ensure the CEO of the company, along with all
accomplices, is arrested and prosecuted for illegal mining, environmental
destruction, and cultural desecration.
- The company should be
compelled to backfill all trenches and restore the damaged ecological
restoration site.
- Authorities must conduct a
thorough probe into possible complicity, including the involvement of
local or national leaders.
The
groups ended with a strong warning, emphasising that Ghana cannot achieve a
sustainable future if rivers and forests continue to suffer such attacks. “This
is a turning point. We expect government and traditional leaders to act
decisively to stop the growing impunity of miners who are destroying our
natural heritage in the Akyem Abuakwa area,” the statement concluded.