Youth in Nzemaland are up in arms with major oil and gas companies in the enclave, accusing them of ignoring strict safety measures.
According to the youth, emissions from helicopters alone have become life-threatening, affecting plants and water bodies.
They claim the oil and gas companies, notably Ghana National Gas Company Limited, Tullow Oil Plc, and Jubilee Partners have snubbed healthy safety measures despite the country’s well-known status on global climate work groups.
Addressing the press on the matter, Leader of Western Nzema Youth League Dr Patrick Ekye Kwesie said the neglect of these oil and gas firms to abide by environmental safety measures is becoming a national security issue.
“Through the activities of the Jubilee Partners and GNGC,there is poor diversity in so many things including the environment, air, water and systems in climate resilience,” he said.
“This neglect we must say is a national security threat with the view that agriculture is our way of life and nothing else even though hydrocarbon campaign has been with us for over a decade.
“This will only happen to us because we are the most peaceful tribe in the world.”
He said the communities need carbon-offset projects to save the agric sector.
“What we need is planting of trees to offset C02, constant data on clean air quality, ‘No’ to venting and flaring of greenhouse gases like menthane, CO2 and other dangerous emission.”
He called for immediate action.
“The good people of Nzema are dying and I am not sure it will cost much to put in place climate mitigation measures. We are losing ourselves, holders of the resources. No job to do but you want us to accept the fact that your negligence is the way to go.”