Stop destroying globally significant biodiversity areas – Awula Serwah
Awula Serwah, the Founder and Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, has reiterated the demand for the withdrawal of L.I.2462 which allows Environmental Vandalism through mining in Forest Reserves including Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas. She called on the Forestry Commission to fulfil its mandate to protect our forests.
She highlighted the fact that the once beautiful Draw River Forest Reserve is on the verge of being destroyed by encroachers and called on the Minerals Commission to be environmentally responsible and stop granting mining licences in forest reserves.
A statement on the UN Decade Restoration website reads:
“There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now.
Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction. It will only succeed if everyone plays a part.”
It adds “Ecosystem restoration means assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact.”
Ghana is not playing its part, and worse still is actively working against ecosystem restoration by allowing mining in globally significant biodiversity areas. In spite of participating in various COP Conferences, Ghana pays lip service to the Climate Emergency. Actions like Green Ghana which seem to show an understanding of the urgency to restore forest cover, are undermined by Legislative Instruments such as LI2462, and Executive Instruments such as E.I. 144.
Illegal Mining has caused ecocide, destroyed our forests and poisoned our water bodies. It is irresponsible to allow mining and logging in globally significant biodiversity areas and destroy our remaining pristine forests and water bodies.
With the destruction & poisoning of farms, forests, rivers and streams, we are already seeing an increase in maternal deaths, birth defects, miscarriages and kidney disease to name just a few consequences. Our health infrastructure cannot support dialysis patients. At what point will Ghana take Ecosystem Restoration seriously or do we not see the link between destruction of our Environment and health challenges?
Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens founder/coordinator
EcoConsciousCitizens@gmail.com
020 1811 702
https://Linktr.ee/EcoConsciousCitizens
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