Time to act on environmental issues affecting mining communities- Exec. Dir. of CEIA appeals

10-05-2012       

A two day workshop involving representatives of the various political parties including traditional leaders has taken place at Tongo in the Talensi-Nabdam Constituency. The workshop equally attended by residents of mining communities, civil society organizations and assembly members was to discuss the way forward in addressing issues affecting the environment. It was jointly organized by the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), Humanity Focus Foundation (HFF) and Gender and Environmental Monitoring Advocate (GEMA) with funding from Star Ghana. The Executive Director of CEIA, Samuel Obiri said the workshop among other objectives was aimed at educating participants on their role in preserving and protecting human life through environmental sustainability measures. Mr. Obiri said life is precious than gold, adding that its time to move away from the talk shop but instead walk on the talk and act on the negative effects of the environment, particularly its impact on residents of mining communities. He said as a country, efforts at reducing environmental destruction has not been the best, hence the need for concerted and collaborative effort in dealing with the situation. On the political front, Mr Obiri called on political parties, media commentators and the general public to refrain from the use of hate speeches to ensure that there is absolute peace in the country before, during and after the 2012 general elections. In a communiqué, residents of the mining communities demanded an action plan from political parties on how best they were going to assist in solving the looming environmental and human crisis. The communiqué further tasked the minerals commission to actively involve chiefs, assemblies, and land owners in the award of mining licenses to potential mining investors. It also called for the review of Act 703 of the constitution, which it stated requires serious scrutiny. Small scale mining companies it further pointed out should be encouraged to undertake social responsibilities in the communities they operate. One other critical issue raised by the communiqué was the involvement of school going children in mining operations. This, the communiqué warned was in violation of the child act and cautioned the various mining companies to desist from engaging the services of children in their mining activities.  The Chief of Kongo, Sapaat Naab David Dong on behalf of the chiefs of the Talensi and Nabdam area, thanked management of CEIA for their show of concern and encouraged them to continue with their good works. Education given to the people, he observed would ginger their effort in protecting human life through safe environmental practices.

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