EPA asked to sanction BGL

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - The Federation of Environmental Journalists (FEJ) Ghana on Tuesday called upon the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose more sanctions on Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) for violating Environmental Impact Assessment procedures and the laws of Ghana with impunity.

It also called on EPA to sanction mining firms and other extractive industries that continuously violated environmental laws. In a release signed by Mr Stephen Quarm, President of FEJ, it said the directive to BGL, a subsidiary of Golden Star Resource of Canada, to stop operations in the Prestea area was long overdue and, therefore, in the right direction.

FEJ said the order confirmed media reports on "the insensitivity of BGL to the plight of the people of Prestea, Himan and Dumase", which are communities within the catchment of BGL.

It said the order gave credence to calls by civil society groups and the people of Prestea, who have campaigned to draw attention of the Government to "the wanton destruction of individual assets (and) public places" in Prestea and surrounding communities. "The Company cannot and dares not violate such laws in Canada, the US and Europe."

FEJ asked EPA to be proactive and act swiftly and appropriately on public complaints especially those from poor mining and farming communities.