The East Akim District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Victor Asihene has called on prospective companies interested in investing in the Atiwa Forest reserve, Eastern Region, to consider options other than mining bauxite. He has therefore suggested the exploitation of timber resources in the forest in place of mining.

Mr Asihene told a group of investors from B.H.P. Billiton, Ghana that the people in the area have now resolved to leave bauxite mining for future generations when better technology for mining would have been developed.

This is because mining in the country has left most mining towns environmentally degraded, a situation that the people of Kibi want to avoid.

The DCE’s call comes just a week after the Okyehene expressed similar sentiments, which was condemned by Minerals Commission.

B.H.P Ghana, which is interested in bauxite mining, visited the area to assess the situation there and the future of the project. But Mr Asihene said the hopes of the people in the area to benefit from mining in the past have dwindled because they are now engaged in other viable economic projects.

The leader of the team, Mr. Riet, said the proposed investment was at the concept stage and the company had not yet been given a prospecting license to enter the area.