Five environmental organizations have served notice to sue government over reclassification of some of Ghana’s forest reserves to allow for mining and timber lumbering.
The 5 CSOS are A Rocha Ghana, Tropenbos Ghana, Civic Response, Nature and Development Foundation, and EcoCare Ghana.
Spokesperson of the Group, Darrel Bossu emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent the degradation of Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas.
The Subri River Forest Reserve and Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve are among the few remaining forest reserves in the country.
The environmental organizations are concerned about the potential loss due to government actions.
In a press release dated May 16, they wrote, “Recent developments resulting from the active actions of the Government of Ghana, which has led to unprecedented risk to convert Ghana’s protected forests such as Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) into logging and mining areas have compelled us to issue a formal notice of intent to pursue civil action against the Government of Ghana.
We have taken this critical step in accordance with Section 19(1) of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), to fulfil our constitutional duty in safeguarding the natural environment, as enshrined in Article 41(k) of the 1992 Constitution.”
“While acknowledging the Government’s developmental objectives and the imperative
need to utilize natural resources for national progress, we are of the conviction that such utilization must strictly adhere to legal frameworks outlined in the 1992 Constitution, the Timber Resources Management Act, 1998 (ACT 547) as amended, and the Timber Resources Management and Licensing Regulation, 2017 (LI 2254),”they added.
“Government has started giving administrative instruction to the Forestry Commission to start opening up some of our global biodiversity safety areas for mining and logging, and we believe that is illegal and against the environment laws,” according to a member of the group.
They are seeking legal action to prevent the Lands and Natural Resources Minister from issuing mining licenses without proper parliamentary ratification.
The suit is expected to be served to government next week.
Read full press release here.
The post 5 CSOs threaten to sue government over reclassification of some forest reserves first appeared on 3News.
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