Eco-Conscious Citizens expressed their appreciation for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for adopting a majority of the points highlighted in their ‘Greening Ghana For Real’ press release, which was launched at Asanteson Gardens in La, Accra, less than two weeks ago on World Environment Day.
Eco-Conscious Citizens welcomed the NDC’s support and alignment with their environmental initiatives and goals.
According to Eco-Conscious Citizens, the Minority in Parliament, led by Hon. Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, held a press conference where they issued a statement that included most of the recommendations outlined in the Eco-Conscious Citizens’ press release.
The Minority reiterated the environmentalists’ call for the Government to prioritize and maintain consistency in their efforts towards greening Ghana. The alignment between the Minority’s statement and the Eco-Conscious Citizens’ press release demonstrates a shared concern for environmental issues and the importance of sustainable practices in the country.
Awula Serwah, coordinator of the non-partisan Eco-Conscious Citizens organization, highlighted an example of the Government’s perceived inconsistency regarding environmental efforts.
She pointed out that, despite the Government’s stated intention to green Ghana, there was a notice in the Daily Graphic indicating the Government’s plan to acquire land in Afrisipakrom, Tano North district, Ahafo region, for mining purposes. This apparent contradiction raises concerns about the Government’s commitment to sustainable practices and its ability to align its actions with its environmental goals.
“We welcome the Minority’s support for our recommendations and note the intention to work with us. Collaboration in the interest of Ghana is essential if we want to restore our ecosystems,” the notice stated.
The notice emphasized that a significant demand put forth by the Eco-Conscious Citizens is the revocation of section 3(2) of the Environmental Protection (Mining In Forest Reserves) Regulations 2022 Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462.
This particular section, according to the notice, grants the President the authority to permit mining activities in globally significant biodiversity areas if it is deemed to be in the “national interest.”
The organization is advocating for the removal of this provision, expressing concerns about the potential environmental impacts and the need to prioritize the preservation of these important ecological areas.
“In the interests of our democracy and transparency, questions must be asked. We are however pleased that the Minority has added its voice to the campaign to revoke L.I. 2462, and is in support of our recommendations,” the notice mentioned.
The Eco-Conscious Citizens organization is calling for an immediate halt to community mining activities. They emphasize the importance of supporting activists in areas such as Sefwi Atronsu, Mantukwa, and Apataim, who are campaigning to protect their environment from the negative impacts of community mining.
The organization highlights that it is crucial for everyone’s well-being to speak up and safeguard the environment and food supply. They express concerns that irresponsible mining practices are causing land contamination, which could potentially result in the rejection of agricultural products from affected areas.
