Chief of Denkyira Brafo in the Central Region, Nana Amoateng III, has taken a strong stand against any attempt to mine minerals in the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Central Region.
Although the minerals commission debunked reports of any mining activity expected to be carried out in the Kakum forest and stated categorically that it shall not allow any form of mining in the forest, Nana Amoateng III in an interview that any form of mining activity would destroy the forest reserve, pollute their water bodies, destroy their farmlands, render their community inhabitable, and they shall protect the Kakum forest with their lives.
According to the chief, he and the people of Denkyira Brako and the Central region as a whole have vowed to protest against all attempts to mine in the forest or within the community in defence of their livelihoods, the future of their children, and the age-old forest reserve.
Meanwhile, the Minerals Commission has stated categorically that no individual or company shall be allowed to undertake any mining activity in the Kakum National Park.
In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, “The Commission wishes to assure the public that no mineral right whether for prospecting or mining shall be considered or granted in the Kakum National Park”.
The statement from the minerals commission comes on the back of reports in the media kicking against the attempt by a mining firm to mine in the park that has served as one of the most visited tourist sites in the country.
According to the commission, an application for a license by High Street Ghana Limited to mine in the forest has been dismissed.
“The Commission wishes to inform the CSOs and the public that the application by 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 cadastre”.
