A Rocha Ghana urges Gov’t to revoke all existing licenses for mining in forest reserves
Environmental NGO A Rocha Ghana has advised government to revoke licences already given out for mining purposes in forest reserves and other protected areas in Ghana.
It also want Parliament must take steps to amend or repeal LI 2462 as it was passed without stakeholder consultations and contrary to the guidelines on mining in production forest reserves which had been in existence since 2001.
The call comes as Ghana joins the globe to commemorate the United Nations (UN) International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issue.
In a statement to commemorate the day on Monday (22 May), A Rocha Ghana called for the designation of the Atewa Forest as a National Park.
“The Ministry of Lands must revoke licences already given out for mining purposes in Forest Reserves and other protected areas and ensure no further exploitations in these areas.
“Parliament must take steps to AMEND or even better REPEAL LI 2462 as it was passed without stakeholder consultations and contrary to the guidelines on mining in production forest reserves which had been in existence since 2001.”
“We have over the years consistently asked that the Atewa Forest be designated as a National Park. The forest is a crown jewel of biodiversity and is home to more than 1,000 species of plants, 230 species of birds, 570 butterfly species, and at least 50 species of mammals,” the statement said.
