The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has expressed great concern about the attempt by some mining companies to acquire a permit to mine within the Kakum National Park.

According to the GIA, while it commends the Mineral Commission for refusing to grant the permit, the attempt brings to light the dangers of legislative instrument, L.I. 2462.

As a result, the association has called for the immediate repeal of the legislative instrument which they accuse of granting unfettered access to mining in forest reserves.

Touting the great importance of the Kakum National Park, the GIA noted that the preservation of L.I. 2462 threatens “one of the biggest achievements in conservation, wildlife preservation, afforestation and tourism business growth in the last thirty years.”

“The design of the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA), pooled together distinguished architects and scholars from Ghana, together with experts across the world in the domains of horticulture, planning, landscape design, wildlife, zoo management, and planning.

“The team established that the Kakum development project was considered to be a very important conservation undertaking in the West African Sub-Region.

“It is an arboreal habitat of hundreds of plant species, semi-deciduous rainforest trees, and—most importantly—the headwaters of large rivers in the central region, which supply water to the towns of Cape Coast and Elmina municipality,” the GIA explained.

The GIA established that the granting of any mining permit within that vicinity will “translate into a loss of reputation in the international community and tourism world.”

“The park has gained international notice as it is on Ghana’s tentative list for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the association said.

“The Ghana Institute of Architects, therefore, stands with the Denkyira Development Association, any other Civil Society Organisation and Non-governmental Organisation to support and advocate for the Kakum Conservation Area to maintain its sanctity as a reserve and tourist destination, and that no part of it ever be given to mining activities as permitted by the new L.I. 2462.

“It is our view that the Kakum Conservation Area and all-natural reserves, forests, and water bodies in the country are also considered to be a part of Natural Heritage and we are responsible for holding it in trust for posterity,” it added.