Environmental groups have strongly condemned an attempted illegal diversion of the sacred Birim River at Apapam in the Eastern Region by a mining company.

In a joint statement issued today, Monday, August 18, A Rocha Ghana, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, and the Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape denounced the mining operation, which is reported to be based in Kwabeng.

They revealed that the miner “actively excavated trenches and constructed a diversion channel aimed at redirecting the sacred Birim River within its bed at Apapam.” The diversion targeted the river precisely where it exits the ecologically critical Atewa Forest Reserve. Swift public alerts and intervention led to the suspension of the unauthorised operation.

“The irresponsible act, occurring even as the nation mourns the loss of 8 patriots dying in the line of duty regarding efforts to rid Ghana of irresponsible and illegal mining activities, represents an unconscionable assault on Ghana’s natural heritage and blatant infringement of regulations regulating the utilisation of natural resources in Ghana,” the statement read.

In direct response, officers from the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Minerals Commission, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) rushed to the site. During the inspection, the NIB picked up an on-site security operative for questioning.

The groups further reported that the miner “bulldozed directly through a vital three-year-old ecological restoration site, causing severe degradation and destroying native tree species, including Mahogany, Emire, and Ofram.”

Following their review and ongoing monitoring, the groups issued the following demands:

1. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WRC, and Minerals Commission must move beyond suspension. Apprehend the said CEO of the mining firm and all involved. Prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law for illegal mining, environmental destruction, and cultural desecration.
2. The perpetrator must be compelled to cover up all trenches and fully restore the destroyed planted site.
3. Authorities must investigate any potential complicity at any level, including the mining company and all leaders involved.

The groups concluded their statement with a strong call to action, saying, “We cannot build a sustainable future with this kind of escalating destruction of all our life-supporting systems, like rivers and forests, as exhibited by this egregious action. We must see a dedicated and committed turning point in the efforts to address the impunity of miners encroaching on our rivers and forest bodies. We believe this is possible, and we expect the government and the traditional authorities to act decisively to prevent this growing impunity in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area,” the statement concluded.