Government has been
asked to urgently withdraw permits granted multinational mining companies to
mine in forest reserves, since the forest protect watersheds of major rivers in
the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) -- a human rights, environmental, and mining advocacy non-governmental organisation -- to mark World Water Day.
The statement said the
decision of Government to open up forest reserves for mining operations meant
sanctioning the destruction of watersheds and 'killing' of rivers and other
water-bodies.
It cited the granting of a mining lease to Newmont Gold Ghana Limited Akyem (NGGL) Mine to undertake surface mining in the Ajenua-Bepo forest reserve, which is the watershed for rivers Yaayaa, Adenkyensu, Alotosu, Afosu, Aprapon and Owonta.
“The withdrawal of the environmental permit granted to NGGL to mine in the forest reserve would demonstrate its commitment to the protection of the country's water resources.
“The issues of water quality and water availability are very crucial for sustainable development as well as meeting all the Millennium Development Goals.”
It called on Government as well as Parliament to, as a matter of urgency, pass into law the Polluter Pays Principle and give legal backing to all the water quality guideline values being used in the country.
The statement added: “Government by doing this would give meaning to the legislation on polluter pays principle; deter people from polluting water bodies and reduce the cost of treating polluted water for urban water supply.
“We wish to reiterate the need for all stakeholders, particularly the Government; civil society; media; academia/research institutions; and the country's development partners to commit themselves to the imperative of water quality and availability for all citizens of Ghana -- especially the urban poor -- by 2015.”
It cited the granting of a mining lease to Newmont Gold Ghana Limited Akyem (NGGL) Mine to undertake surface mining in the Ajenua-Bepo forest reserve, which is the watershed for rivers Yaayaa, Adenkyensu, Alotosu, Afosu, Aprapon and Owonta.
“The withdrawal of the environmental permit granted to NGGL to mine in the forest reserve would demonstrate its commitment to the protection of the country's water resources.
“The issues of water quality and water availability are very crucial for sustainable development as well as meeting all the Millennium Development Goals.”
It called on Government as well as Parliament to, as a matter of urgency, pass into law the Polluter Pays Principle and give legal backing to all the water quality guideline values being used in the country.
The statement added: “Government by doing this would give meaning to the legislation on polluter pays principle; deter people from polluting water bodies and reduce the cost of treating polluted water for urban water supply.
“We wish to reiterate the need for all stakeholders, particularly the Government; civil society; media; academia/research institutions; and the country's development partners to commit themselves to the imperative of water quality and availability for all citizens of Ghana -- especially the urban poor -- by 2015.”
No comments:
Post a Comment