Environmental advocacy group, Eco-Conscious Citizens, has issued a strong open letter urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address what it describes as a worrying pattern of intimidation and double standards in the police’s handling of environmental activists, while commending his broader efforts in the fight against illegal mining.
The group cited the arrest and detention of five local activists from Atronsu — dubbed The Atronsu 5 — who were picked up on Farmers’ Day, November 8, 2024, for allegedly burning excavators used in galamsey operations that polluted the Atronsu Stream, their only source of drinking water.
The group, which includes a teacher, farmers, and an assemblyman, denies the charges and insists they were acting to protect their environment.
Eco-Conscious Citizens expressed grave concern that the illegal miners behind the environmental destruction continue to walk free, while the activists spent five nights in police cells and were refused both police and court bail.
The letter notes that bail was denied despite assurances from Chief Superintendent Martin Eninghan, who was contacted while attending Farmers’ Day celebrations.
The activists’ case has since been adjourned five times as police have failed to complete investigations.
The organisation highlighted that this is not an isolated incident, referencing another case involving The Assemkron 10, who were similarly arrested for carrying out a citizen’s arrest of illegal miners — only for the miners to be released while the activists were charged.
The group warned that such patterns foster a perception of bias and misuse of the justice system to suppress environmental defenders.
Eco-Conscious Citizens cautioned that Ghana is on the brink of an ecological disaster, with forests being destroyed, water bodies poisoned, and the food chain compromised.
They cited alarming health impacts, including rising kidney diseases and birth defects, referencing data from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital indicating a quadrupling of kidney-related cases.
The group urged the IGP to ensure the police service is seen as a protector of life and the environment, and not as a tool to intimidate those standing up for it. The next court date for The Atronsu 5 is scheduled for July 31.
Open Letter: Eco-Conscious Citizens Organisation Commends The IGP On His Fight Against Illegal Mining, But…
Environmental advocacy organisation Eco-Conscious Citizens commends the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for taking a stand against illegal mining, but respectfully urges him to urgently deal with the perceived pattern of intimidation and double standards in police dealings with Activists on the ground.
For example, activists known as The Atronsu 5, who heeded the call to be Active Citizens and not Spectators, were arrested on Farmers’ Day, 8th November 2024 by Inspector Ampen Darko of the Awaso Police Station for allegedly burning excavators used to pollute their landscape and Atronsu Stream, the only source of drinking water in the community.
The activists, who are also farmers and include a Teacher and an Assemblyman deny the charges.
It is of concern that the illegal miners who were destroying the Environment and polluting the Atronsu Stream are walking free, whilst The Atronsu 5 were refused police and court bail, and spent five nights in cells at Sefwi Bekwai Divisional Command.
They were denied police bail, despite assurances by Chief Superintendent Martin Eninghan, who was contacted whilst he was on his way to mark the Farmers Day celebrations.
Eco-Conscious Citizens respectfully urges the IGP to cause the charges against The Atronsu 5 to be dropped, and investigate the circumstances leading to the activists’ arrest on Farmers Day 2024.
It is not clear why The Atronsu 5, locals who did not present a flight risk, were arrested, refused Police bail and rushed to Court with indecent haste when the Police had not completed their investigations. The case has been adjourned on 5 occasions, because at each court date the Police had not yet completed their investigations. The perception is that the justice system is being used to intimidate and cause inconvenience, distress and financial loss to activists. It seems to be a pattern, as The Assemkron 10, who effected a Citizen’s Arrest of illegal miners were also arrested and charged by Police, whilst the illegal miners were freed to continue their nefarious activities.
We are on the verge of an ecological catastrophe! Our forests are being decimated, our water bodies and landscape poisoned and our food chain supply is at risk. There is a rise in kidney disease, maternal deaths and deformed babies. According to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) the number of kidney cases has quadrupled.
We face an existential threat.
In the circumstances, it is important that the Police are seen to be protecting life and not perceived to be using the justice system to intimidate activists on the ground.
The Atronsu case has been adjourned to 31st July.
Eco-Conscious Citizens organisation thanks the IGP for his stand against illegal mining and respectfully reminds him that the fight against illegal mining is undermined when the Police are perceived to be using their powers to intimidate activists on the ground, whilst seemingly giving a free pass to illegal miners.
Eco-Conscious Citizens
[email protected]
