Eco-Conscious Citizens, a prominent environmental advocacy group, has voiced strong concerns over the alleged arrest of four farmers in Atronsu on Ghana’s Farmers’ Day.
The farmers, who are also local activists, were reportedly detained for burning an excavator used by illegal miners, a move that has sparked outrage among both community residents and environmental advocates.
In an open letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Eco-Conscious Citizens highlighted a concerning discrepancy: while these farmers face legal action, the illegal miners accused of contaminating Atronsu’s only source of drinking water have largely evaded significant punishment.
“It is of concern that the illegal miners, who have been actively poisoning the only source of drinking water in Atronsu, are walking free,” the letter stated.
Awula Serwah, founder and coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, noted that the farmers had consistently raised alarms about the pollution of the Atronsu Stream.
Despite filing reports with the police and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the illegal mining persisted with little to no enforcement. Although some miners were briefly detained, they were quickly granted bail and reportedly resumed their activities.
The group’s letter criticizes what they perceive as “selective justice,” which they argue undermines public confidence in law enforcement.
“The optics do not look good,” Serwah remarked, pointing to the difference in treatment: while miners were released on bail, anti-galamsey (illegal mining) demonstrators are reportedly denied similar leniency.
Eco-Conscious Citizens are calling on the IGP to ensure fair and impartial justice, arguing that penalizing those who stand against illegal mining, while letting the mining activity persist, amounts to a grave injustice.
“To appear to condone the criminal activities of the illegal miners, while wielding the law heavily on the victims of the crime, would be an extremely unfortunate injustice,” the letter concluded.
READ THE LETTER BELOW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Open Letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Re: Arrest Of 4 Farmers On Farmers’ Day
Nov. 8 2024
Dear IGP,
Selective Justice? Pollution of Atronsu Stream, the Only Source of Drinking Water in Atronsu
It has come to the attention of Eco-Conscious Citizens that today 8th November, when Ghana is marking Farmers’ Day and acknowledging their importance to our National Wellbeing, four farmers have been arrested in Atronsu.
The farmers who are also Community Activists heeding the President’s call to be Active Citizens and not Spectators, were arrested for allegedly burning an excavator used by illegal miners.
Their arrest is in sharp contrast to the reluctance of the Police to arrest the illegal miners who have been recklessly polluting the Atronsu Stream that provides life and sustenance to the Atronsu community.
It is of concern that the Illegal miners who have been actively poisoning the only source of drinking water in Atronsu are walking free.
The Activists have for months been complaining about the pollution of the once pristine Atronsu Stream, by illegal miners.
Despite their formal complaints, the illegal miners continued their criminal activities with impunity. Eco-Conscious Citizens Coordinator Awula Serwah also informally complained to the Police and the EPA.
The illegal miners were eventually arrested, but promptly given police bail. They were quick to return to their illegal mining activities and pollution of the Atronsu Stream.
The optics do not look good.
The granting of bail to the illegal miners is in sharp contrast to the treatment of the anti-galamsey demonstrators who were repeatedly denied police bail.
Eco-Conscious Citizens therefore respectfully urge you to counter the growing impression that the Police are facilitating the activities of illegal miners by intervening to ensure that the activists are granted police bail.
The growing perception of selective justice does not inspire confidence in Ghana Police, whose mandate is to serve and protect.
We note that even in war, poisoning of water bodies is a war crime. To appear to condone the criminal activities of the illegal miners, whilst wielding the law heavily on the victims of the crime committed by the miners would be an extremely unfortunate injustice.
We respectfully appeal to you to urgently intervene in this matter.
Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens founder/coordinator
