The Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has added her voice to calls for the Atewa Forest to be protected and conserved as a national park.

She expressed concern over the continued destruction of the Atewa Forest by illegal mining activities, describing the situation as a threat to human rights and a danger to future generations through environmental poisoning.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the call at the launch of the Atewa Centenary Celebration and the Green Atewa Festival held at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi. The event was organised by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Authority in collaboration with Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape.

According to her, the exploitation of natural resources such as gold, diamonds, and oil should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.

“It doesn’t matter how many natural resources we have, whether it is gold, diamonds, or oil. If we destroy the land and destroy the fauna and flora, then we have nothing. We are nothing without our environment,” she said.

She further warned that illegal mining poses serious risks beyond environmental degradation, including threats to food security, water security, and human safety.

“The scourge of illegal mining and the impact it is having on everything, including our food security, water security, and human security, cannot be ignored. The ramifications are far greater than many people realise,” she added.

The Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey and the National Director of A-Rocha Ghana Dr Seth Appiah-Kubi, who took turns to address the gathering, outlined the importance and benefits the country stands to gain if the Atewa forest attains a national park status.