NGOs worried about Government's environmental policy

Three non-governmental organizations (NGOs), led by the Center for Environmental Impact Analysis ( CEIA), on Tuesday expressed concern about what they termed “Policy Contradictions And Violating National Laws,” by the Government.

According the NGOs, the granting of concessions by the Government to mining companies to operate in some forest reserves in the country was unacceptable because it put the environment at risk.

They cited Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, engaging in the mining of gold in the Adjenua Bepo Forest Reserve; and SAVACEM undertaking limestone works in the Yokumbra Forest Reserve; as well as Azuma Mining Company, which was exploring for gold near the Mole National Park.

The CIEA, the Humanity Focus Foundation and Gender for Environmental Monitoring Advocates, shared the sentiment at the celebration of this year’s World Environment Day, on the theme: “Green Economy: Does It Include You?” in Cape Coast.

The event, which fell on Tuesday, was to underscore the need for Ghanaians to play their part in protecting the environment for posterity.

It was marked with the symbolic planting of 30 coconut seedlings along the beaches by Environmental Protection Clubs from five basic schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis, to prevent erosion.

The NGOs called on Government to stop granting exploration rights to companies to operate within protected areas, and said that mining in forest reserves contravened certain provisions in the national land policy, developed by the Ministry of Mines, Lands and Natural Resources, in 1999.

They cited section 4.5(a) of the national land policy, which said that “ to ensure the conservation of environmental quality, no land with primary forest cover will be cleared for the purpose of establishing a forest or tree crop plantation or mining activity,” to justify their request.

They also mentioned section 4.5(b) of the policy, which stated that “ all lands declared as forest reserves, strict nature reserves, national parks, wild life sanctuaries, and similar land categories constitute Ghana’s permanent forest reserves and wildlife estates, and are ‘fully protected’ for ecosystem maintenance, biodiversity conservation and sustainable timber production.”

The NGOs appealed to Government to halt attempts to de-gazette portions of globally significantly biodiversity areas, particularly in the Western Region, and other areas for logging, to enable the nation to enjoy the full benefits of its forest resource.**