The protesters presenting their petition at Okyenhene’s Palace, Kyebi
THE EXECUTIVES and entire membership of Okyeman Youth Association – a pressure group in the Eastern Region – have indicated that they have no links with any group that is combating the mining of bauxite in the Atiwa Forest.
The pressure group – Concerned Citizens of Atiwa Landscape – has threatened the government over its decision to release the Atiwa Forest Reserve for bauxite mining.
According to the group – which embarked on a six-day walk from the Eastern Region to Accra on Saturday, March 17, 2018 in protest of mining in the Reserve – it is not against mining, but wants the forest, which has a lot of tourism potentials, to be protected.
A press statement signed by the leadership of the Okyeman Youth Association posited that it had no knowledge about the anti-bauxite group.
According to the statement, “We have had several calls on this and as an association, we stand for the development of Okyeman; we are not against legal operation of the government and private businesses that will create jobs for the youth as well as help with the development of Akyem.”
The association indicated that the youth were happy to welcome any initiative that would create jobs for the unemployed in the area.
FROM Daniel Bamopoe, Koforidua