The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, has expressed, its unhappiness with the alleged granting of gold prospecting licenses to some small-scale mining companies to commence operation in Mantukwa and its environs.
The designated area in Aiyinasi North in the Elembenle district of the Western Region, the group contends, is near a clean water body called Nrem Stream.
Speaking to Plan B FM on Ebanoosen hosted by Bohyeba Aftiyie Mr Michael Adebah Vice President of Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group said that they have observed that community members are reliant on the stream for their water supply needs.
He contended that per precedent of mining activities near some water bodies, it cannot fall on the assurances from the Minerals Commission and other government agencies that the water body will not be polluted and have consequently asked the regulatory body to withdraw all licenses granted to the small-scale mining companies.
“We are dismayed because the area in question has a very fragile ecosystem that revolves around the very clear and serene Nrem Stream as is evidenced in the picture attached (Appendix 1). People, flora, and fauna in and around the area depend on the stream, and all have coexisted for centuries. “We have seen the devastating effect of prospecting/mining activities of licensees of the Minerals Commission Ghana on such fragile ecosystems.”
He added that “the abysmal performance of the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the District Assemblies and others in the Mining Regulatory space in Ghana in safeguarding our water bodies and other fragile ecosystems like Mantukwa means that we the citizens of Ghana and of Ellembelle cannot rely on any assurances from either your organization or the concession holder to protect and safeguard Nrem and Mantukwa’s fragile ecosystems. We, therefore, call on you to withdraw the said license(s) issued.”
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