WESTERN TOGOLANDERS MUST RISE AGAINST IRON ORE MINING IN THEIR TERRITORY
The People’s Liberation Council (PLC) of Western Togoland wishes to once again remind the people of the Oti region, a bonafide Western Togoland territory that we still stand by our conviction that the government of Ghana has no business mining iron ore in that enclave.
The PLC will therefore advise our brothers and sisters in Volta/Oti to stand strongly against any attempt by any entity or government to mine the mineral.
We must understand that the mining does not hold any immediate or future benefits for the people of the enclave. If it did, there would abound evidence in the other regions that have allowed their lands to be looted and destroyed in the name of mineral exploration and mining as we have seen in the Ashanti region and the Western region.
Water bodies have been polluted, vegetative cover destroyed and livelihoods have been adversely affected in those communities and the people and their Chiefs just sat and looked on while the government had it’s day.
And now it’s the turn of the Oti/ Volta region, the only region which has over the years preserved it’s forest vegetation and protected their mineral and natural resource reserves.
We at the PLC wish to join voices with broadcaster Kelvin Taylor to say that the decision by the government of Ghana to enter the Volta/Oti region to mine iron ore with promises of massive development for the area in terms of infrastructure – roads, schools and hospitals and the creation of employment opportunities for the folks is a blatant lie and calculated at throwing dust in the eyes of the people.
What form of development had the government provided for the people of those regions that have witnessed years of mining activities? What became of them and their natural environment?
Let us not allow these people to destroy our land and bring untold hardships upon us and our generation.
Indeed the PLC would like to congratulate the chiefs and people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Bowiri for taking a strong stance not allow government or any entity to engage in any mining activities in their enclave.
Having gone ahead form a joint committee to work to prevent any such mining activities in those areas must be an example for other communities to follow so that together we can protect our territory.
Our Chiefs and leaders must rise up against this monstrous move before it rears it ugly head amongst us.
Our Chiefs should stop being greedy and selfish and unite to stand against the move even if it calls for putting our lives on the line.
Let us remember that whatever action we take today will affect us and the generations yet unborn and posterity will judge us someday if we allow this.
Should we fail to resist any attempt to mine minerals in our territory, we run the risk of becoming slaves in our own land.
A word to the wise, they say is enough!.
By People’s Liberation Council (PLC)Communications bureau.
www.plcwtl.org
