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22.03.2015 Science

NGO urges government to develop Atewa forest reserve

By GNA
NGO urges government to develop Atewa forest reserve
22.03.2015 LISTEN


Kibi (E/R), March 22, GNA - Management of A Rocha Ghana, an environmental NGO has urged government to develop the Atewa Forest Reserve into a national park to ensure its proper management and prevent activities of illegal mining which affects water bodies.

Mr Emmanuel Akom, the Project Manager of A Rocha Ghana said the Atewa Forest is an important source of water for the Central, Eastern and Greater Accra regions, and that, a sound management of the forest would lead to long term sustainable water supply for the regions.

Mr Akom made the appeal at the weekend, at a media tour to the forest, as part of the World Water Day celebration in the Eastern Region, under the theme: 'Water and Sustainable Development'.

The Atewa forest reserve, the watersheds of the three most important rivers in the country- Birim, Densu and Ayensu, provides Accra with 70 per cent of its primary source of water.

Mr Akom said the three rivers are crucial sources for domestic, agricultural and industrial water for homes and industries and therefore there is the need for its protection from water pollution and environmental degradation for reliable water supply.

He stressed that the Birim river in the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area have become an eyesore due to the activities of illegal mining and called on government to intervene and save the forest from further destruction.

Mr Akom said his outfit and other local partners, with funding from the Dutch Embassy Ghana, are implementing a project dubbed: 'Living Water from Mountain: Protecting Atewa Water Reserve' to address the challenges posed to the forest, which affects the country's biodiversity.

He said the protection of the forest is in line with the vision of the Ghana Netherlands WASH Programme and the Multi Annual Strategic plan of the Dutch Embassy to invest in integrated Water Resource Management.

He added that, as part of the celebration, the organization would organize the Atewa schools environmental concert for four Senior High Schools and four basic schools in the Atewa District to create awareness on the importance of fresh water and stimulate change among the school children on water protection.

Mr Daniel Kwamena Ewur, the Community Liaison Officer for the living water from the mountain project, said lack of meaningful participation of local stakeholders in decision making and management of the forest and the lack of direct economic benefits are the main drivers for local encroachment and illegal activities.

He said the project support processes in which ecosystem services are being incorporated in policy planning and decision making processes and conduct international study on the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by the Atewa forest.

GNA

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