The Youth in Natural Resources and Environmental Governance (Youth-NREG) Platform has called on the government to address the widespread destruction of forests and rivers caused by illegal mining.
The group noted the significant damage already inflicted on 34 forest reserves and four major rivers, leading to biodiversity loss and disruption of essential ecosystem services.
Youth-NREG described the situation as “Ecocide,” emphasizing the severity of the issue as more than an environmental concern, but a crime against future generations. The group’s statement warned that the ongoing environmental degradation threatens not only wildlife but also human survival, impacting forests, water bodies, and agricultural lands essential to community livelihoods.
Despite widespread condemnation from civil society, religious leaders, and environmental advocates, the government has yet to take decisive action against illegal mining. While there have been public denouncements and promises of reform, the devastation continues.
The Youth-NREG demands an immediate end to all illegal mining activities and calls for a temporary suspension of legal mining to allow for a comprehensive review of existing policies. They urge the government to impose punitive measures on companies responsible for environmental damage and to overhaul regulations that prioritize profit over environmental protection.
This situation presents a complex challenge for Ghana’s government, which relies on the mining sector as a significant economic pillar. However, the Youth-NREG argues that the long-term consequences of environmental destruction—such as polluted water supplies, depleted agricultural land, and loss of biodiversity—outweigh any short-term economic gains.
Beyond immediate government intervention, the group advocates for sustainable livelihood options for young people, many of whom turn to illegal mining due to a lack of alternatives. Youth-NREG sees this as an issue of social justice, contending that the government’s failure to protect the environment equates to failing to protect the rights of future generations to essential natural resources.
The group stresses the urgency of the situation, indicating that reversing the damage from years of neglect and exploitation requires a multifaceted approach. This includes enforcing existing laws, revising harmful policies, and collaborating with local communities and civil society.
They emphasized that political will is crucial in this effort, leaving the government to decide whether it will listen to the youth’s demands for action.
