Public Agenda (Accra)
31 March 2008
Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Selorm Amevor
Accra
A group calling itself the Concerned Farmers Association at New Abriem in the Eastern region have petitioned the government to withdraw the certificate given to Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL) to mine in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve.
According to them the forest reserve is the watershed for important rivers such as Owo Nta , Alotosu , Aprapon, Adenkyensu and Yaayaa which serve the various needs of many of the people in the area especially in this era of water crises.
In a petition signed by 215 farmers to the government and its related agencies, they said the Ajenua Mountain, together with the forest area improves the rainfall pattern in the region, thus boosting agriculture.
"Improved rainfall is important to us because as a people , we are predominately farmers and we know that agriculture would suffer greatly if mining is undertaken in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve," They added.
They indicated that the forest reserve is the home for many animals, birds, butterflies and important trees and plants species which provide sustainable medicinal benefits that maintain the ecosystem and serve as a store of biodiversity.
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