By Theresa Weyerane Adiali
A group of activists has on Monday demanded that the Government of Ghana urgently declare the Atewa Forest as a National Park, amidst rampant illegal mining within the reserve. The group proposes this as an urgent solution to the failing fight against illegal mining, and a significant economic opportunity, while protecting critical river sources and biodiversity in the forest.
The group consists of activists from A Rocha Ghana, Eco Conscious Citizens and Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL). They made the call at a press conference in Accra on September 14, 2026, as Atewa marks 100 years this year as a gazetted forest reserve.
According to the group, an internationally led 2016 study found that transforming Atewa into a National Park and restoring its surrounding landscape would produce the greatest economic value compared to scenarios that include mining.
The cited European Union-sponsored study estimates that blended green development activities could generate about US$1.3 billion annually, with tourism estimated to generate over US$5 million yearly, non-timber forest products estimated at US$12.4 million per annum, and a US$1.157 billion value over 30 years for local communities, downstream residents and the national treasury.
“Atewa is a national security asset. Its water sustains millions, in addition to its immense economic value. Mining, legal or illegal, in Atewa is incompatible with all of these values,” said Daryl Bosu, A Rocha Ghana’s Deputy Director, who addressed the media.
The group said the green model could generate significant revenue from tourism, create at least 3,000 jobs in tourism facilities and services, and support cocoa processing, agroforestry, climate finance and green value chains.
They argue that the economic potential makes protecting Atewa by declaring it as a National Park a more sustainable alternative to mining, particularly as illegal mining continues to degrade portions of the forest.
Recent reports published on National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) platforms indicate that task force officers and Forestry Commission rangers have raided illegal mining camps within and around the Atewa Forest Reserve. However, the group of activists highlighted that river sources and forest cover within Atewa are still torn apart by illegal miners who keep returning to dig multiple pits, pitching multiple camps and other makeshift settlements in a desperate search for gold.
The coalition further cites several arrests, notably a February 2026 operation involving 55 police officers, which resulted in five arrests after an apparent leak of information, while two forest guards were reportedly held hostage by illegal miners. They add that the Forestry Commission lacks personnel, logistics and enforcement capacity, while judicial delays, repeated bail grants and weak inter-agency coordination have undermined efforts to stop illegal mining within Atewa.
The coalition demands that President John Dramani Mahama and relevant institutions make Atewa a National Park immediately, rescind plans for bauxite mining in the forest and provide it with the highest legal protection.
They also demand a permanent joint security task force, stronger Forestry Commission capacity, faster prosecution of illegal mining cases and investigations into alleged information leakages and complicity.
