The Concerned Youth of Akyem Sagyimase has issued a passionate communiqué warning of a looming environmental crisis in the Atewa Forest Reserve due to illegal mining activities.
According to the group, a man identified as Prince Kegya—allegedly well-connected and known for previous illegal mining—has approached traditional leaders in a bid to acquire 800 acres of land within the protected forest.
Investigations at the Minerals Commission’s regional office in Koforidua confirmed that no license has been issued to him, making any such activity unlawful.
The youth emphasized that Sagyimase serves as the main entry point to the Atewa Forest, making their resistance critical in preventing environmental destruction.
The Atewa Forest, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, is home to several endangered species and is the source of three major rivers—Birim, Ayensu, and Densu—that supply drinking water to over five million people. It also plays a vital role in climate regulation and supports local livelihoods.
The group outlined the severe risks of mining in the forest, including water pollution, health hazards, destruction of agriculture, and long-term damage to Ghana’s economy and global biodiversity.
They are calling on the government, the Minerals Commission, and other authorities to immediately halt all mining-related activities, declare Atewa a National Park, and promote sustainable alternatives such as eco-tourism and scientific research.
“We will resist any attempt to destroy the Atewa Forest through all legal, advocacy, and community mobilization means,” the group vowed.
Read the statement below:
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY THE CONCERNED YOUTH OF AKYEM SAGYEMANSE ON THE IMMINENT DESTRUCTION OF THE ATEWA FOREST THROUGH ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES
ATEWA FOREST UNDER THREAT
Date: Monday, 2nd June 2025
Location: Sagyemanse, Atewa, Akyem Abuakwa, Eastern Region, Ghana
We, the concerned youth of Sagyemanse, representing the chiefs, farmers, traditional leaders, environmental activists, youth groups, and civil society organisations, hereby issue this communiqué to express our vehement opposition to the planned destructive and illegal mining activities in the Atewa Forest Reserve.
Background
About two months before this publication, the concerned citizens of Sagyemanse received intel that a man notorious for destructive illegal mining had approached the chief of Sagyemanse with the intention to acquire eight hundred acres of land solely for illegal mining within the restricted Atewa Forest.
This man whose name is given only as Prince Kegya is said to be the son of the recently deceased Amankrado of Bodua and also a native of Bodua, a man highly connected in the corridors of power and impossible to bring to book.
The proposed activities of this man by name Prince if told, would be catastrophic to the people of Sagyemanse, Akyem Abuakwa and Ghana as a whole. In view of that, the Youth of Sagyemanse conducted searches at the Regional Office of the Minerals Commission in Koforidua to ascertain if indeed the Government had given this individual the required license to mine in the restricted Atewa Forest.
The Regional Office of the Minerals Commission in Koforidua responded promptly and informed the concerned Youth that no such license had been granted to the said Prince Kegya and if found within the restricted forest reserve he should be arrested and handed over to the police.
It of utmost important to note that Sagyemanse is both the ancestral and geographical entrance to the Atewa forest and as such any person seeking to enter the forest with heavy machinery must of necessity use the Sagyemanse route. Mr. Prince Kegya is therefore leaving no stone unturned and moving heaven and high waters to enter and destroy the Atewa forest in his selfish bid to enrich himself at the expense of the entire nation.
The concerned Youth of Sagyemanse have sworn that they will never allow any individual or corporate entity into the Atewa forest to mine and this is because the importance of the Atewa forest to the people of Sagyemanse and to the Globe at large cannot be overemphasized.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (also known as Atiwa-Atwiredu) was established as a Forest Reserve in 1926 under British colonial rule, it was originally protected due to its rich biodiversity and critical watershed functions.
The Atewa Forest is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, home to endangered species, vital water sources, and a critical carbon sink that mitigates climate change. It serves as the headwaters for three major rivers—the Birim, Ayensu, and Densu—which provide drinking water for over 5 million Ghanaians and support agriculture and livelihoods across multiple regions.
- Pre-Colonial & Colonial Era: The forest was traditionally revered by the Akyem people as a sacred landscape, providing medicinal plants, clean water, and hunting grounds. Colonial authorities later recognized its ecological value and designated it a reserve.
- Post-Independence: After Ghana’s independence in 1957, the forest remained protected, but logging and illegal mining began to encroach on its boundaries.
Global Ecological Importance of Atewa Forest
The Atewa Forest is recognized internationally as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), an Important Bird Area (IBA), and one of the world’s most critical ecosystems due to:
- Unique Biodiversity & Endemic Species
- Rare Wildlife: Atewa is home to 50 mammal species, 1,000+ butterfly species, and 230 bird species, including the endangered white-naped mangabey and Roloway monkey.
- Endemic Species: It hosts species found nowhere else on Earth, such as the Afia Birago puddle frog (Conraua sagyimase) and the Atewa dotted border butterfly (Mylothris atewa).
- Botanical Riches: Over 1,100 plant species thrive here, including medicinal plants used in traditional medicine.
- Vital Watershed for Millions
- Three Major Rivers originate from Atewa:
- Birim River (supports cocoa farming and communities in the Eastern Region)
- Ayensu River (critical for irrigation and drinking water in Central Ghana)
- Densu River (provides 30% of Accra’s water supply via the Weija Dam)
- Over 5 million Ghanaians depend on these rivers for drinking water, agriculture, and livelihoods.
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Atewa acts as a carbon sink, absorbing CO₂ and helping Ghana meet its Paris Agreement commitments.
- Deforestation would release stored carbon, worsening climate change impacts like droughts and extreme weather.
- Global Conservation Recognition
- Listed as one of the 200 most important ecological zones on Earth by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
- Designated an Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site, meaning its destruction could cause irreversible species loss.
Despite its ecological importance, there are various attempts to enter into the forest and engage in various destructive mining activities which threatens to destroy this irreplaceable natural heritage.
Mining in the Atewa Forest would have catastrophic consequences for local communities, Ghana’s economy, and global biodiversity. Below is a detailed breakdown of the dangers posed by bauxite and other mining activities in this critical ecosystem.
- Immediate Threats to Local Communities (Akyem Abuakwa & Eastern Region)
- Water Crisis & Pollution
- Loss of Clean Drinking Water: Atewa is the source of three major rivers (Birim, Densu, Ayensu) supplying water to over 5 million Ghanaians. Mining will contaminate these rivers with toxic chemicals like cyanide, mercury, and heavy metals, leading to:
- Poisoned water supplies (causing diseases like cancer, kidney failure, and birth defects).
- Collapse of agriculture (farmers relying on these rivers for irrigation will lose livelihoods).
- Increased water shortages in Accra (Densu River provides 30% of Accra’s water via Weija Dam).
- Destruction of Livelihoods
- Farmers & Fishermen: Mining will pollute soils and rivers, killing fish and making farmland infertile.
- Herbalists & Traditional Healers: Over 100 medicinal plant species will be destroyed, eroding local healthcare systems.
- Tourism & Eco-Jobs: Atewa supports eco-tourism, research, and honey production—all threatened by mining.
- Health Risks from Toxic Mining Waste
- Bauxite mining releases radioactive materials (uranium & thorium) and heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
- Respiratory diseases (silicosis, asthma) from dust pollution.
- Increased malaria & waterborne diseases due to stagnant mining pits breeding mosquitoes.
- Displacement & Social Conflict
- Communities near Atewa (e.g., Osino, Sagyimase, Bunso) face forced evictions.
- Land conflicts between mining companies and locals could lead to violence.
- National Risks to Ghana
- Economic Losses Outweigh Short-Term Gains
- Bauxite mining profits will last 20-30 years, but water scarcity & land degradation will last centuries.
- Ghana’s cocoa industry (15% of GDP) depends on clean water from Atewa—pollution could collapse exports.
- Tourism revenue (e.g., birdwatching, hiking) will disappear if Atewa is destroyed.
- Violation of Ghana’s Environmental Laws & Global Commitments
- Ghana’s 1992 Constitution (Article 36(9)) mandates environmental protection.
- Mining in Atewa breaches international agreements:
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Paris Climate Agreement (deforestation worsens climate change)
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 13, 15)
- Increased Flooding & Climate Disasters
- Atewa acts as a natural sponge, absorbing rainfall. Mining will increase flooding in Accra and Eastern Region.
- Deforestation will worsen droughts, harming food security.
- Global Risks: Why the World Should Care
- Mass Extinction of Endangered Species
- Atewa hosts species found nowhere else on Earth, including:
- White-naped mangabey (critically endangered)
- Afia Birago puddle frog (endemic to Atewa)
- Atewa dwarf gecko & Atewa butterfly
- Losing Atewa = Permanent global biodiversity loss (it’s an Alliance for Zero Extinction site).
- Climate Change Acceleration
- Atewa stores millions of tons of carbon—mining will release CO₂, worsening global warming.
- Ghana’s deforestation rate already among highest in Africa—losing Atewa will make climate targets unattainable.
- Threat to Global Water & Food Security
- Pollution from Atewa could spread to the Volta River, affecting Togo, Benin, and beyond.
- Cocoa from Ghana (20% of world supply) depends on clean water—contamination could spike global chocolate prices.
- Modern Threats: In recent years, the Ghanaian government has explored bauxite mining in Atewa as part of a $2 billion deal with China (under the Sinohydro Agreement), putting the forest at severe risk
Our Demands
We call on the Government of Ghana, The IGP, The Minerals Commission, The minister in charge of Lands and Natural resources, traditional authorities, and all stakeholders to:
- Immediately halt all mining-related activities in and around the Atewa Forest.
- Designate Atewa as a National Park to ensure permanent protection under Ghana’s protected areas system.
- Respect community rights by engaging in transparent and inclusive consultations before any decisions affecting Atewa are made.
- Promote sustainable alternatives such as eco-tourism, research, and green enterprises instead of destructive mining.
- Enforce existing environmental laws and adhere to Ghana’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Paris Climate Agreement.
As Concerned Youth of Sagyemanse, we will resist any attempt to destroy the Atewa Forest through all legal, advocacy, and community mobilization means. We stand in solidarity with environmental groups, including A Rocha Ghana, Save Atewa Alliance, and the Coalition of NGOs Against Mining in Atewa, to protect this national treasure for present and future generations.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Action
The Atewa Forest is not just Ghana’s heritage—it is a global ecological asset. International organizations, conservationists, and governments must support efforts to:
Stop mining plans and permanently protect Atewa as a National Park.
Promote eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods instead of destructive extraction.
Strengthen global pressure on Ghana to honor its environmental commitments.
#SaveAtewaForest
#NoMiningInAtewa
#WaterIsLife
Signed,
Concerned Residents of Akyem Abuakwa
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