Renowned environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has raised fresh concerns over the destruction of the Tano Forest Reserve in the Western North Region, describing the situation as a clear example of the impunity surrounding illegal mining activities in the country.
Speaking on Joy News while discussing his documentary ‘Forest Under Siege’, Erastus Asare Donkor revealed that he and his team have faced repeated threats for demanding accountability over activities in the reserve.
“Before I even begin, we have received threats upon threats because we demanded accountability for what was happening in that forest reserve,” he stated.
According to him, the once-pristine forest served as an important source of livelihood for residents of Samre Boi and surrounding communities in the Wiawso Municipality before illegal mining activities began destroying the area.
He disclosed that despite notifying persons linked to the alleged activities and requesting responses from them since 2022 and 2023, there was little cooperation.
“We have served notice. We requested reactions from Chairman Wontumi himself and his aides. I have evidence of that. They did not respond, so we had to go ahead,” he said.
The environmental journalist further revealed that some individuals who attempted to protect the forest have endured physical threats and intimidation.
“The man you see in there has suffered so much physical threats, everything but he stood his ground and decided he was going to protect this valuable resource,” he added.
Erastus Asare Donkor, however, commended the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police for setting up a task force that led to the removal of more than 100 excavators from the forest reserve.
“When we put this forest into perspective, the task force was able to move over 100 excavators from this forest. They are currently assembled in Samariboi,” he noted.
Despite the intervention, he warned that illegal mining activities are still ongoing within the reserve, lamenting “We are not out of the woods. They are now constantly raiding the forest because somebody decided that we can raid this forest and nobody will do anything to us.”
The journalist also questioned why alleged perpetrators were not held accountable earlier despite public concerns and official condemnations. “What happened to him during that period? Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Because he controlled everything. He had the power behind him,” he alleged.
He further criticised what he described as weak enforcement and political interference, insisting that such actions embolden illegal miners.
“It tells you the impunity when people have power and think they can manipulate that power to their advantage to the extent that they can destroy a whole resource and nothing will happen to them,” he stressed.
Erastus Asare Donkor also referenced the destruction of the Apamprama Forest Reserve, claiming that despite significant environmental damage, no arrests have been made.
According to him, unless authorities consistently enforce the law and hold offenders accountable, illegal mining will continue to threaten Ghana’s forest reserves and environmental sustainability.
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