Sagyimase Youth Kick Against Mining In Atewa Forest

A concerned youth group of the Sagyimase community have issued a strong warning against what they describe as an imminent threat of illegal mining in the Atewa Forest Reserve.

In a press statement signed by Baffour Asare Bediako, the Kyidomhene of Akyem Sagyimase, the group has declared their resolute opposition to plans by one Prince Kegya, to invade the sacred forest for galamsey (illegal mining) operations.

The Atewa Forest, which lies in the Eastern Region of Ghana, is internationally recognised for its biodiversity, ecological value and role in climate regulation.

It serves as the source of three major rivers the Birim, Ayensu and Densu that supply water to over five million Ghanaians.

“We were first alerted two months ago when credible information reached us that Mr. Prince Kegya was making moves to acquire about 800 acres of land in Sagyimase for illegal mining. He is said to have approached our chief directly with this proposal,” said Baffour Asare Bediako.”

The Kyidomhene emphasised that Mr. Kegya does not possess any license from the Minerals Commission to conduct mining operations in the area and that his alleged attempts to exploit the land constitute a flagrant violation of Ghanaian environmental laws.

He further noted that Sagyimase is both the ancestral and geographical gateway to the Atewa Forest, making it the natural entry point for any activities legal or illegal into the reserve. As such, the community sees itself as the first line of defense for the protection of one of Ghana’s most important natural heritages.

The youth group, which includes traditional leaders, farmers, environmental activists and civil society organisations, is calling on government authorities to take immediate action to halt any encroachment attempts by the alleged miner.

“If the government fails to act swiftly, we, the people of Sagyimase, will take it upon ourselves to resist this invasion. We are ready to protect our forest, our water, our future,” warned Kwame Boateng, a youth leader and local farmer. “This forest is not just trees – it is our lifeline. We are not against development. But development should not come at the cost of our survival.

“No one is above the law. We call on the Minerals Commission, the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to act now,” Baffour Asare Bediako clarified.

The Atewa Forest Reserve officially gazetted in 1926 during British colonial rule – was protected due to its rich biodiversity and vital watershed functions. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most critical ecosystems, recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and an Important Bird Area (IBA).

The forest is home to over 1,100 species of plants, 230 species of birds – 1,000 species of butterflies and 50 species of mammals, including critically endangered animals such as the white-naped Mangabey and the Roloway monkey.

Notably, species like the Afia Birago puddle frog (Conraua sagyimase) and the Atewa dotted border butterfly (Mylothris atewa) are found nowhere else on Earth, making the forest an irreplaceable biodiversity treasure.

Community members have expressed frustration over the perceived impunity with which some well-connected individuals are able to exploit protected lands.

The post Sagyimase Youth Kick Against Mining In Atewa Forest appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

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