Concerned citizens of the Atewa landscape, in collaboration with FLOWER, petitioned the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly to raise alarm over the increasing environmental degradation caused by mining activities within the Abuakwa South Municipality, especially the Atewa Range Forest Reserve.

The group called for swift enforcement actions to safeguard the environment, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the forest and its vital water bodies.

“Our once lush mountains, through which clean water flowed and served our domestic needs, are now under serious threat due to illegal mining activities. This has severely affected the Atewa Range Forest Reserve and its associated rivers, the Birim, Ayensu, Densu, and their tributaries,” a representative of the group stated.

In a peaceful demonstration marked by placards and a long walk through the streets of Kyebi, the group, led by its convenor, Paul Asamaku, presented a list of key demands to the Abuakwa South Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) tasking council to collaborate with traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and relevant agencies to ensure the sustainable protection of the forest and water resources and futhermore, support for public education campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the ecological and legal consequences of environmental destruction within local communities. 

In attendance were Chiefs from the Ofori paninfie, staff of the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly, Forestry Commission, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Ambulance Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and A Rocha Ghana.