Environmental activists have raised alarm over what they describe as an illegal attempt to divert the sacred Birim River at Apapam in the Eastern Region.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, August 18, three advocacy groups, A Rocha Ghana, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, and the Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape, condemned the operation, linking it to a mining company based in Kwabeng.
According to the groups, the miner had excavated trenches and constructed a diversion channel to alter the river’s natural flow at the point where it emerges from the ecologically vital Atewa Forest Reserve. The plan was disrupted after public outcry and swift intervention, leading to the suspension of the unauthorised activity.
The statement stressed that the action was especially troubling as the nation mourned the recent loss of eight security officers who died while fighting illegal mining. The groups described the attempt as “an unconscionable assault on Ghana’s natural heritage and blatant infringement of resource regulations.”
Following reports, officers from the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Minerals Commission, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) stormed the site. An on-site security officer was arrested by the NIB for questioning.
Beyond the river diversion, the groups revealed that the miner had destroyed a three-year-old ecological restoration project, uprooting indigenous tree species such as Mahogany, Emire, and Ofram.
The joint statement demanded that:
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The CEO of the mining firm and all accomplices should be arrested and prosecuted.
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The company restores the damaged restoration site and covers all trenches.
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Relevant state authorities investigate potential complicity from stakeholders linked to the operation.
The environmental groups concluded with a stern warning, urging government and traditional leaders in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area to act decisively. “We cannot build a sustainable future while our rivers and forests suffer escalating destruction. This must mark a turning point against the impunity of illegal miners,” they declared.
