The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) have called for the declaration of a state of emergency on illegal mining (galamsey), citing the destruction of the Atewa Forest and its key rivers — the Birim, Densu, and Ayensu.
According to the group, the Kibi Water Treatment Plant has been shut down for the past two months due to dangerously high turbidity levels, cutting thousands of residents off from safe drinking water.
CCAL says pollution has wiped out aquatic life and now threatens the survival of entire downstream communities.
In a statement released on Founder’s Day, CCAL urged government and security agencies to step up both day and night enforcement operations, prosecute perpetrators, and hold complicit officials accountable.
The group also proposed a national agenda to “reset rivers” by tracing pollution sources, rehabilitating water facilities, and providing alternative water supplies.
They further stressed the need for sustainable livelihood programs to wean young people off galamsey.
“Galamsey is a national crisis.
To allow Atewa and its rivers to collapse under greed is to betray future generations,” the statement read.
