Ghana: Government urged to ban surface mining

The National Coalition on Mining has urged government to ban surface mining in all forest reserves. It should also take immediate measures to protect and improve the existing forest cover in line with nation obligation under the UN framework Convention on climate change.

The Coalition also urged government to reform mining and environmental policies and practices to increase the benefits of mining and protect communities and the environment from violence perpetrated by some transnational mining companies as well as state institutions especially the police.

The Coalition and partnership officer of ABANTU For Development, Gertrude Frimpomaa-Domfeh made the call in a statement at the Second National Annual Campaign Forum at Akoti, a mining community in the Sefwi-Wiawso District of the Western Region.