The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has addressed the ongoing issue regarding mining activities in the Yenku Forest Reserve
During the Minister’s Briefing at the Ministry of Information he categorically stated, “Yenku Forest Reserve where we have the Aboakyire, the Mole National Park, a forest reserve in my own constituency of Damongo and the Kakum National Park have no mining lease granted covering these areas.”
The clarification by the Minister comes in response to claims and allegations suggesting that there is an existing mining lease in the Yenku Forest Reserve, which encompasses significant areas such as the Aboakyire, Mole National Park, Damongo constituency’s forest reserve, and the Kakum National Park.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized, “The claim, allegation and assertion that has generated in my view this needless controversy and uproar is that there’s a mining lease in Yenku Forest Reserve. There’s no such mining lease covering all of these locations.”
This comes after tensions escalated as traditional authorities in Effutu and Gomoa Traditional Areas declared their resistance to any potential surface mining in the Yenku Forest Reserve. Concerns were raised about the adverse health effects on the local population and the potential environmental damage.
At a joint press conference held in Winneba last Wednesday, Paramount Chief of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI, Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, and Paramount Chief of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea Ababio II, collectively cautioned against any actions that might lead to chaos.
The traditional leaders revealed they received a letter last year indicating that the Minerals Commission had granted a permit for lithium mining by Green Metals Resources Limited in the hunting grounds for the annual Aboakyer festival. However, both the Effutu Traditional Council and the broader Effutu community strongly opposed the concession, as expressed at the press conference.
Meanwhile, Abu Jinapor’s statements dispel misconceptions surrounding mining activities in the Yenku Forest Reserve, while local traditional authorities remain steadfast in their opposition to potential mining operations in the area.
