Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio has lent his support to the movement to save Atewa Forest Reserve from destructive mining. On Instagram, DiCaprio used A Rocha’s own photo and linked to a Washington Post article on Atewa, commenting:

“Ghana’s #Atewa Forest Reserve provides drinking water to 5 million+ people & harbors 100+ wildlife species at risk of extinction. We must prioritize the protection of these irreplaceable places for a healthy planet. Read more @washingtonpost: wapo.st/2oDUBFi @arochaghana #SaveAtewaForestNow”

Meanwhile in Ghana, the government responded to what they considered “taunts” from the opposition, who had said, “government will destroy Atewa forest and deprive millions of Ghanaians [of] access to drinking water coming from the Atewa forest”. Dr. Gideon Boako, spokesperson for the Vice President, said that “data show that more than 75% of the total Bauxite reserves is within the Nyinahini enclave making Nyinahini the obvious choice over Atewa”. The Coalition of NGOs and Concerned Citizens Against Mining in Atewa has called on Ghana’s government to officially state its stand on the proposed mining of bauxite in the Atewa forest.

This is a crucial time for Atewa. Please join Leonardo DiCaprio and add your voice to the defence of Atewa, precious home to endangered species and a source of clean water for Ghanaians. Sign the petition and encourage your friends to do the same.