Rocha, Coalition of NGO’s Sue government over Atewa Forest Bauxite Mining decision

Rocha Ghana in collaboration with the Coalition of NGO’s have served notice to the Attorney General of their intention to sue government over its plan to mine Bauxite in the Atewa Range forest.
The suit, according to the group intends to protect and safeguard the environment at large.
In a statement signed by the National Director of Rocha, Seth Appiah- Kubi, he noted that, Ghana does not need to exploit the Atewa Forest bauxite reserve since there are far richer avenues government can equally raise funds to develop the Country.
Below if the full Statement:
For Immediate Release:
To All Media Agencies
15 January, 2020
Coalition of NGOs and Individuals Serve Notice to the Attorney General to Sue
Government Over Plans to Mine Bauxite in The Atewa Range Forest
A Rocha Ghana, together with other NGOs and individuals, wish to inform the general
public that a notice of civil action against the Government of Ghana has been filed with the
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Honourable Gloria A. Akuffo, over its plans to
exploit the Atewa Range Forest for bauxite.
The notice which was filed on Monday, January 13, 2020 is in pursuant to Section 10 of the
State Proceeding Act 1998, Act 555. The action intends to protect and safeguard the
environment pursuant to the constitutional duty imposed on us under article 41(k) of the
Constitution of Ghana, 1992. EcoCare Ghana, Ghana Youth Environment Movement, Save
the Frogs Ghana, and several other institutions have affirmed their support to ensure that
governments both now and in the future respect the right of Ghanaians to a safe and healthy
environment.
We being good citizens, support government’s quest to develop Ghana and, as part of such
efforts, to raise funds through various endeavours including exploiting the country’s
resources. However, it is the case that Ghana does not need to exploit the Atewa Forest
bauxite reserves since there are far richer bauxite reserves according to information
available to government and to the entire Ghanaian populace. Also, considering the critical
importance of the Atewa Forest Range to Ghana’s water supply system, biodiversity and
natural climate change adaptation, it would be best not to exploit the Atewa Range Forest.
The notice has been served bearing in mind several constitutional actions to draw
government’s attention to the fact that mining in the Atewa Forest would be very
detrimental.
We, together with over 20 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) both local and international,
have embarked on a series of campaigns to steer government away from its decision. In the
same spirit of environmental protection, we have sent a petition to both the Presidency and
Parliament but the Government of Ghana consistently demonstrates no interest at all in these
actions.
It is against this background that we serve the notice to bring a legal suit against the
Government of Ghana should they fail to exclude Atewa Range Forest from the bauxite
mining project. It is unfortunate that we have to fight our own government to protect the
environment.
The intended Reliefs of the notice include:
1. Declaration that the right to life and dignity as enshrined in the Constitution of
Ghana, 1992 which includes (a) the right to a clean and healthy environment and (b)
the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future
generations.
2. A declaration that mining bauxite in the Atewa Forest violates the right to life and
dignity enshrined under articles 13 and 15 of the Constitution.
3. An order, compelling the Government of Ghana and its agents to take the necessary
steps to protect Atewa Forest Range in accordance with constitutional obligations as
contained under article 36(9) of the constitution.
4. An order, restraining the Government of Ghana, its assigns and agents, servants,
workmen, allottees and guarantees whatsoever and howsoever described from
undertaking mining and its related activities in the Atewa Forest Range.
Signed
Daryl Bosu
Deputy National Director
A Rocha Ghana
Tel: 0202555727
Seth Appiah-Kubi
National Director
A Rocha Ghana
Tel: 0200810144
 
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Kennedy Obeng

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