The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has called on the government to make the protection of the Atewa Forest Reserve a national priority, citing its importance to water security, biodiversity and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
In a media statement issued on October 28, 2026, the group said the forest’s ecological importance required stronger protection against destructive mining and other activities that could threaten its integrity.
CCAL’s call follows Environment Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings’ warning that Ghana’s gold reserves are finite and that environmental destruction could leave future generations with lasting losses.
The group said Atewa contributes to river systems associated with the Densu, Ayensu and Birim basins. It highlighted the Densu River’s importance as a water source for parts of the Greater Accra Region and warned that damage to forest ecosystems could have consequences for water supplies, agriculture and local livelihoods.
CCAL cited Nauru, a Pacific island nation that suffered severe environmental degradation following extensive phosphate mining, as a lesson in the need to balance mineral extraction with environmental protection and long-term planning. It stressed, however, that Ghana’s future was not predetermined by Nauru’s experience.
Although acknowledging mining’s contribution to employment, revenue and national development, the group said economic benefits should not override the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
It called for consistent enforcement of mining and environmental laws, greater transparency in licensing and environmental permitting, accountability for operators responsible for environmental damage, and investment in forest restoration and community-led conservation.
CCAL also urged the government to use mineral revenues to develop sustainable sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy, to support livelihoods beyond the life of the country’s mineral reserves.
“The true wealth of Ghana is not measured by the gold we extract alone. It is also measured by the forests we preserve, the rivers we protect, the biodiversity we sustain and the quality of life we secure for generations yet unborn,” the statement said.
