Environmental NGOs call for environmental issues to be addressed during transitional period

We the undersigned Environmental NGOs congratulate President elect John Mahama on his victory, and look forward to the implementation of promised decisive action to end the ecocide caused by the canker of illegal mining.

We also commend the NPP flag bearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for conceding defeat in a gracious, statesmanly and timely manner.

As the election that seemed to pose a barrier to action is now behind us, we urge H.E President Nana Akufo Addo to demonstrate leadership by taking decisive action against the scourge of galamsey in the last few weeks of his Presidency.

In particular, we urge the President to:
1. Declare a state of emergency in line with section 31 and 31 (4) of the 1992 constitution or issue an Executive Order to deploy the Police and Military to remove all miners and mining equipment from our water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands; support Forestry Commission personnel who are unable to deal with armed environmental terrorists, and immediately close all mining sites that are destroying waterbodies.

2. Repeal E.I 144 and L.I. 2462 and ensure that there is no mining or logging in forest reserves or globally significant biodiversity areas.

3. Pause Small scale/Community Mining and stop the issuance of new licences.

4. Initiate investigation of environmental terrorists and all persons named in Prof. Frimpong Boateng's report.

Failure to act against the canker of illegal mining before the elections ensured that several hectares of evergreen forest reserves were destroyed in the last 2 months alone. There is, however, still a window of opportunity for the President to redeem the promise he made and prevent his administration from being remembered for presiding over the unprecedented destruction of our forest reserves and farmlands, and poisoning of our water bodies, leading to the rise in kidney disease, cancers, maternal deaths, still born and deformed babies.

The best time to have acted was yesterday, but the next best time is today.

Finally, we call on our Chiefs to help the authorities to protect the lands under their care from environmental terrorism.

Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens, Founder/Coordinator
A Rocha Ghana
Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL)
Ghana Environment Advocacy Group (GEAG)
Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM)
Jema Anti Galamsey Advocacy (JAGA)
Sefwi Atronsu Youth/Farmers Anti- Community/Small Scale Mining Group