GALAMSEY SUFFOCATES ATEWA FOREST RESERVE

A Rocha Ghana, an environmental conservation organisation, has raised grave concerns about the extent of devastation illegal mining (galamsey) has caused to the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, located in the Eastern Region, warning that the country risks losing the vital ecological resource by the end of this year if urgent steps are not taken to protect it. Describing the extent of destruction caused by illegal mining activities in the globally significant biodiversity area (GSBA) as “alarming and unprecedented”, the Deputy National Director of the organisation, Daryl Bosu, stressed that there was an imminent environmental and socio-economic crisis emanating from the illegality. At a media briefing held in Accra last Monday, he explained that apart from destroying the forest landscape, including essential plants and animal species, the illegal miners had heavily polluted major rivers that took their source from the forest reserve, affecting the quality of water supply to over five million people. "A Rocha Ghana, Eco-Conscious Citizens and Concerned Citizens of Atewa have been on the ground and we know the extent of destruction in this forest reserve; we can say this because we have accurate records and evidence", he said. Significance Beyond its biodiversity, the Atewa Range Forest Reserve functions as the primary water tower for southern Ghana, acting as the origin for three major river systems: the Densu, Ayensu and Birim. These watersheds are vital, supplying clean drinking water and sustaining agricultural livelihoods for an estimated five million people, including residents of the capital city, Accra. Atewa is home to 239 bird species, 69 mammals, 40 amphibians and 14 reptiles, and protects at least 78 species threatened with global extinction. A total of 969 vascular plant species have been identified and an estimated 711 butterfly species occur there, which is equivalent to 77 per cent of all butterfly species found in Ghana, making Atewa the most diverse location for butterflies in West Africa. is among just two per cent of the world’s protected areas assessed to be resilient to higher levels of climate change impacts. In terms of climate resilience, the forest withholds an estimated 3.6 million tonnes of climate change-inducing carbon. Unprecedented destruction Mr Bosu said it was worrying that despite its national and global importance, Atewa Forest was being systematically plundered by illegal miners. “Evidence from illegal mining hotspots inside the reserve, including the Wankobi Stream headwaters shows excavated pits, stripped forest cover, muddy and polluted streams, makeshift miner camps, and abandoned equipment. This is not a historical problem; it is happening now,” he said. He said galamsey persisted in the Atewa Forest Reserve partly because the Forestry Commission lacked adequate personnel, logistics, protected camps and enforcement capacity to secure the reserve alone. Demands Based on the critical ecosystem services the Atewa Range Forest Reserve provides, the consortium of environmental organisations called for it to be made a national park with immediate effect to help deal with the escalating galamsey in the area. Mr Bosu underscored the need for the government to set up a permanent security camp in the area to protect the forest reserve from further destruction. He called on the government and relevant stakeholders to empower the Forestry Commission with adequate officers, protected camps, vehicles, equipment and intelligence capacity to enforce the law. Again, he stressed the need for the government and the Attorney-General to fast-track prosecution of persons involved in galamsey in the forest reserve.