CAPE COAST’s FOREST RESERVE AND TOURIST SITE, ‘KAKUM’ NATIONAL PARK UNDER THREAT

CAPE COAST’s FOREST RESERVE AND TOURIST SITE, ‘KAKUM’ NATIONAL PARK UNDER THREAT

One of Ghana s most revered forest reserve and tourist site the ‘Kakum’ National Park in the Central Region of Ghana is under serious threat of mining activities if necessary action is not taken to halt the impending threat.

The National Park which has approximately 14 forest reserve sites has drawn the attention of some unpatriotic individuals who have taken the bold steps for which mining applications have been submitted to the Minerals Commission.

According to reports a recent application by the High Street Company has stirred public outcry regarding the future of the forest reserve, which has long served as a national asset.

Meanwhile in a sharp response to the public outcry, the Minerals Commission has subsequently issued a communique to confirm a rejection of the application by the High Street Company.

“The Commission wishes to inform the CSOs and the public that the application of High Street Mining Company Limited was rejected and therefore cannot be processed or considered whatsoever. Consequently, the Commission has deleted the application from the online mining portal.”

However in a media interview by the Executive Director of Nature and Development Foundation, Dr. Mustapha Seidu on JoyNews and monitored by Precisewebgh, recounted that, such incidents may recur if the regulations governing mining in Ghana’s forests remain unchanged.

“The audacity to even think about applying for a mining lease in the Kakum National Park is worrying. It just tells you that there is no forest reserve in this country that is protected from mining. Every forest reserve is a candidate mining site,” He lamented.

Dr. Seidu had earlier remarked that, the floodgates for the depletion of the country’s forest reserves were opened with the enactment of Legal Instrument (L.I)2462, specifically the ‘Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations,’ passed in November 2022, and if it is not reviewed Ghana’s forest reserved will all be depleted in the near future.

Related post

SWAG GIVE BIRTH TO ANOTHER REGIONAL CHAPTER, AS IT SWEARS-IN NEW LEADERSHIP IN CENTRAL REGION

SWAG GIVE BIRTH TO ANOTHER REGIONAL CHAPTER, AS IT…

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) swears-in new leadership as the mother body inaugurate its 10th regional chapter in the…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *