The National Deputy Director of A-Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bonsu, has criticised President Akufo-Addo for failing to preserve the Atewa forest reserve in his Independence Day address yesterday, [March 6] in Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital.
The President indicated the government’s intent to mine bauxite deposits discovered in the Atewa Forest Reserve. He noted that certain issues have to be dealt with, as mining the bauxite deposit will be a source of employment for the community.
However, Mr. Bonsu disagreed with the President. Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight, he emphasised the importance of preserving the forest reserve.
“I think it is about time we realised that we can equally create a significant amount of jobs for the people in the Eastern region without destroying the forest,” said Daryl Bonsu, adding that, “already studies have shown that we can take advantage of the monumental tourism potential in the area.”
He urged the President to “work up to see the potential that Atewa [forest] has now” and not just for its extractive minerals and benefits.
Mr. Bonsu maintained that any attempt by President Akufo-Addo to proceed with mining in the Atewa forest would be the biggest failure of the President, who hails from the Eastern region.
Bauxite mining: It's about time he realized that jobs can be created in the region without destroying the forest cover of the Atewa reserve. – Daryl Bosu, Deputy Director, A Rocha Ghana.#GhanaTonight pic.twitter.com/oYxOqw0wls
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) March 7, 2024
Daryl Bonsu also expressed disappointment with the President’s lack of appreciation for the Atewa forest as a source of water supply to some parts of Accra.
He noted that water from the forest flows from Densu through Weija to be treated and serve residents in that part of the Greater Accra region.
“One thing that is very clear and obviously missing in the President’s own appreciation of the pride of the Eastern region is the fact that Atewa Forest has also been a crucial and important source of water for the country’s capital city,” he said.
About Atewa Forest
Atewa Range Forest Reserve, in the eastern region of Ghana, is internationally recognized as one of the highest-priority ecosystems in West Africa for its high species diversity, high levels of endemism, and great hydrological importance.
The forest was gazetted as a National Forest Reserve in 1926, then a Special Biological Protection Area in 1994, a Hill Sanctuary in 1995, and one of Ghana’s 30 Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) in 1999. It is also recognised as an Important Bird Area.