PRESS RELEASE
CCAL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RECLAMATION FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION AT ATRONSU, WESTERN NORTH REGION
Ghana
The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has taken note of credible information shared regarding severe environmental devastation caused by illegal mining activities (galamsey) at Atronsu in the Western North Region. Although reports indicate that the illegal miners have vacated the area, the extent of damage inflicted on the land and water bodies remains alarming.
CCAL stresses that being the first to hit the ground does not exempt perpetrators from accountability. On the contrary, those who initiated the destruction must be held fully responsible for the cost of reclamation with immediate effect. This is necessary not only to restore the damaged environment but also to serve as a strong deterrent to others who enter communities, extract quick profits, and exit,leaving behind lasting destruction, social hardship, and environmental consequences.
In line with environmental governance standards, CCAL reiterates the urgent need to enforce the Polluter Pays Principle. Reclamation of degraded lands and polluted rivers at Atronsu must commence without delay, financed by those whose actions caused the damage.
While Atronsu lies outside the Atewa Forest landscape, the situation reflects a recurring national pattern of environmental abuse. It underscores the need for preventive and permanent protection measures for critical ecosystems, including the Atewa Forest, which remains under constant threat.
It is against this broader conservation urgency that CCAL, in collaboration with traditional authorities, civil society partners, and community stakeholders, is advancing the Atewa Centenary Celebration and the Green Atewa Festival (GAFES). These initiatives are designed to galvanize national commitment toward the protection, preservation, and sustainable management of the Atewa Landscape, with a clear vision of securing its future as a National Park.
The official launch of the Atewa Centenary Celebration and GAFES will take place on Monday, 5th January 2026, at the Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi. These events will serve as a platform for advocacy, accountability, and renewed resolve to end environmental impunity.
CCAL calls on relevant state institutions, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies to act decisively on the information available, ensure immediate reclamation at Atronsu, and prevent similar destruction in other ecologically sensitive areas. Environmental crimes must have consequences, and restoration must begin now.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact: PRO,
Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL)
On 0242924377/0244245373
