A Rocha Ghana

25/09/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠!

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗔 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧?

Deep in Ghana’s Atewa Forest, three major rivers begin their journey: the Ayensu, Densu and Birim.
But at their source, a different story is unfolding.

𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙍𝙪𝙨𝙝: 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙩𝙚𝙬𝙖, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙎𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝘼𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 takes us into the forest and downstream, following the trail of illegal mining and its impacts on rivers, communities, farmers and livelihoods.

Because what happens in Atewa does not stay in Atewa.

Caught between gold and water, what are we willing to lose?

🎥 Watch the trailer.

The first part of the documentary premieres on World Rivers Day, Sunday, 27 September 2026.

Stay Tuned!

🌿 No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.

24/09/2026

🔴 DAY 2 |

A FOREST UNDER PRESSURE.
A NATION WATCHING.

Atewa’s future is being decided by what is done, not merely what is said.

Until when would the government take decisive action?

We are still counting.


Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources-GhanaConcerned Citizens of Atewa LandscapeDr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MPMinistry of Environment, Science, Technology and InnovationEnvironmental Protection Authority, GhanaForestry Commission GhanaParliament of GhanaJohn Dramani MahamaHon. Bernard Ahiafor

24/09/2026

What role do traditional authorities play in promoting responsible mining and protecting the rights of communities?

As part of the BRACE (Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes) Project, A Rocha Ghana engaged Chiefs within the Okyeman Traditional Council in an interactive session on key issues affecting communities in extractive landscapes.

The engagement explored Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), mining licensing procedures, mineral mining and rights, human rights, sustainable environmental management, and the roles and responsibilities of duty bearers within the extractive sector.

The session strengthened the Chiefs’ understanding of these processes and created space for dialogue on how traditional authorities can support informed participation, protect community interests and contribute to more accountable and responsible mineral resource governance.

Through BRACE, A Rocha Ghana is working with communities and traditional authorities to build the knowledge and capacity needed for stronger participation and accountability in Ghana’s extractive sector. The BRACE project is funded by the European Union.

European Union in Ghana

23/09/2026

🔴 DAY 1 |

One hundred years ago, on 5 January 1926, the Okyeman State Council gazetted Atewa Forest — not for themselves, but for the future of Okyeman, for Ghana, and for humanity.

Today, that forest is under siege, poisoned, and occupied, than ever before.

Illegal miners are armed, organised, and entrenched. Forest Managers are overwhelmed and exposed to security risk.

On 15 September 2026, NAIMOS said our concerns "will not be ignored."

We are counting the days until that promise becomes action.

One forest. One decision.

Will Atewa become a National Park, or a mining pit?

The clock is running.
The forest is not waiting.


Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources-Ghana Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape Nature & Development Foundation Wacam European Union in Ghana Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP NCCE Gh Eco-Conscious Citizens Forestry Commission Ghana Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana

23/09/2026

When natural heritage is under threat, traditional authorities have an important role to play in protecting the land and shaping its future.

As illegal mining continues to spread through the Atewa Forest, the concerns and voices of those who have long cared for the land matter more than ever.

Yesterday, A Rocha Ghana engaged the Okyeman Traditional Council to discuss the growing threats facing Atewa, including the reported presence of foreign nationals, attacks on Forestry Commission personnel, and the limited resources available to protect the forest.

The Okyehene expressed deep concern over the situation and reaffirmed his commitment to securing Atewa’s future.

The discussion also explored how the forest could support sustainable livelihoods and green economic opportunities for communities across Okyeman.

Protecting Atewa won’t happen through the efforts of one institution alone. Traditional authorities, government, communities and civil society all have a part to play.

𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭.



Read the full story⤵️ https://ghana.arocha.org/2026/09/23/okyehene-expresses-deep-concern-over-atewa-forest-destruction-calls-for-stronger-action/

23/09/2026

Every day, scores of illegal miners on motorbikes swarm into the Atewa Forest Reserve, in eastern Ghana — ignoring the handful of Forestry Commission guards charged with keeping them out. Inside the reserve, the miners have stripped forest cover and excavated pits, their passage marked by abandone...

22/09/2026

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Documentary Production Services | BRACE Project

A Rocha Ghana, Wacam, and the Nature & Development Foundation (NDF) invite Expressions of Interest from qualified and experienced documentary production firms to produce a 20-minute impact documentary for the Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE) Project.

Funded by the European Union, BRACE works to empower communities affected by mining by strengthening access to environmental and land rights information, justice, and participation in environmental governance.

The documentary will capture the experiences of project target groups and communities, highlight stories of change and showcase the project's impact across selected locations in the Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Western North, Ahafo and Greater Accra Regions.

The assignment will include story development, field production, interviews, editing and post-production.

Interested? Download the full Terms of Reference for eligibility requirements, submission details and other information.

Deadline: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

https://ghana.arocha.org/2026/09/22/call-for-expressions-of-interest-eoi-for-the-production-of-an-impact-documentary-for-the-building-resilient-and-active-communities-in-extractive-landscapes-in-ghana-brace-project/

20/09/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘💚
𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲.

The International Theological Commission, with Pope Leo XIV's authorization, published "Caring for Our Common Home" on September 2, calling the ecological crisis a theological issue, not just scientific.

The document warns of an "unprecedented" ecological crisis, urges "ecological conversion," and states plainly: "everything is connected" the cry of the Earth is linked to the cry of the poor

The document “Caring for Our Common Home” calls for a “responsible and fraternal response to the Triune God”. The ecological question is a theological ...

17/09/2026

Atewa cannot wait anymore!



John Dramani Mahama Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources-Ghana Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana Forestry Commission Ghana Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape Eco-Conscious Citizens Parliament of Ghana