A leading environmental advocacy group, Eco-Conscious Citizens, has expressed deep concern over the recent arrest of four farmers in Atronsu on Ghana’s Farmers' Day.

The farmers, also recognized as community activists, were detained after allegedly burning an excavator used by illegal miners, a move that has ignited outrage among both the local community and environmental advocates.

In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the group pointed out a stark contrast, while the farmers face legal charges, the illegal miners responsible for polluting the Atronsu Stream, the only source of drinking water for the community, remain unpunished.

Founder and coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, highlighted that the farmers had been raising alarms about the pollution of the Atronsu Stream for several months, but their concerns appeared to be ignored.

“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.

Despite submitting formal complaints to both the police and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the illegal mining activities persisted unchecked. While some miners were arrested, they were swiftly released on bail and resumed their operations.

In the open letter to the Inspector General of Police, the group criticised the police’s response to the issue, accusing them of “selective justice,” which, they argue, erodes public trust in law enforcement.

“The optics do not look good,” Serwah noted, pointing out the disparity in treatment between the illegal miners and the activists. While the miners were granted bail, anti-galamsey demonstrators have reportedly been denied similar leniency.

Eco-Conscious Citizens have urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to step in and ensure that justice is applied impartially. The group argues that permitting illegal mining to persist without consequence, while penalizing those who oppose it, represents a serious injustice.

“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,” the letter concludes.

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 SerwahEco-Conscious Citizens founder/coordinator