A coalition of three (3) Non Governmental Organization (NGOs) has condemned the violent attack on environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor and three others by a group of armed men while reporting on the destruction of illegal mining activities.
In a press statement, the coalition contend that the victims were brutally assaulted by armed men allegedly acting in the interest of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited at Asumenya within the Asenanyo Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
“We, the undersigned, unequivocally condemn the recent violent attacks on environmental and human rights defenders who are courageously exposing illegal and irresponsible mining activities that harm our environment and expose our communities to long-term health and wellbeing risks”.
The coalition, comprising organizations such as the Nature and Development Foundation, Arocha Ghana and WACAM argues that the attack is another vicious example of the escalating impunity with which community members and journalists are targeted for standing up against illegalities.
“This vicious assault is not an isolated incident. It reflects an escalating trend of violence against environmental and human rights defenders in Ghana, whether they are peacefully protesting in the streets, conducting field investigations, or monitoring illegal activities in their communities”.
Further, the coalition called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We demand swift and decisive action by law enforcement to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. It is unacceptable that those who commit violence against citizens who have committed to secure the environment, our shared and common assets, are allowed to continue their actions unchallenged”.
It continued, ” We call on the Ghanaian government to ensure the safety and security of all environmental and human right advocates and to strengthen and firmly enforce legal frameworks that will serve as a deterrent to anyone ever contemplating attacking environmental defenders”.
