As the world commemorates International Day of Forests 2025, the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has called on the government to take decisive action in protecting the forests from unchecked degradation.
CCAL urgently calls on the government to reassess and strengthen its environmental policies as it plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods.
The Public Relations Officer of the CCAL, Nana Ampem, stated that illegal logging and mining have contributed to the loss of forest foods that many rural communities depend on and threaten biodiversity, water resources, and livelihoods.
“Despite existing regulations and pledges to restore degraded landscapes under the Red Plus host spot intervention initiative, Ghana’s forests, particularly Atewa Forest, continue to experience rampant deforestation from illegal logging and mining (galamsey), Nana Ampem made this assertion during a press conference at segimase
CCAL attributed that despite numerous calls from environmentalists and communities, successive governments have failed to designate Atewa Forest as a national park.
He stated that governments have failed to designate Atewa Forest as a national park, saying sustainable solutions exist but only if governments prioritize conservation over short-term economic gains.
Nana Ampem indicated that CCAL continues to demand that the Atewa Range Forest Reserve be upgraded into a national park, which has the potential to bring over 30 million US dollars annually into the Ghanaian economy through properly managed ecotourism.
He said that efforts must also be made to protect existing trees with policies and adequate enforcement mechanisms for Ghanaians and the world at large to benefit while the government has made commitments to forest conservation through the launch of the Trees for Life Reforestation initiatives.
“Contradictory policies such as L.I. 2462, which legalizes destructive mining in protected forests, must, therefore, be repealed with immediate effect if the government cares about Ghana’s remaining scanty forest resources. This draconian LI is not in the interest of Ghanaians and also does not align with Ghana’s climate and conservation commitments to international treaties,’’ Nana Ampem affirmed.
He bemoaned the illegal mining operations, which continue to destroy forests and pollute key water bodies such as the Birim, Densu, and Ayensu Rivers, despite supposed crackdowns by the Okyehene, Osagyefour Amoatia Ofori Panin (Paramount Chief of the Abuakwa Traditional Council).
Nana Ampem continued that the government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forestry Commission, and the Water Resources Commission, lack the autonomy and resources to enforce laws effectively, urging equipment of regulatory agencies to embark on their mandate without hindrance.
“We also demand the revocation of mining leases granted to Nawara and Akooko Mining Companies for their encroachment on the Bunso Water and Research Stations of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Ghana (CSIR),’’ he said.
He stated that the survival of Ghana’s forests is intrinsically linked to the nation’s food security and the well-being of its people, adding that the stations are critical for agricultural research, water conservation, and environmental sustainability.
Nana Ampem urged the government to act now to protect these invaluable resources for current and future generations, as mining activities in such areas are a direct threat to food security, water resources, and scientific research.
Nana Ampem pleaded with the government to uphold its constitutional mandate of safeguarding biodiversity for posterity and called on Ghanaians not to be spectators but citizens in the matter.
CCAL urged the government to prioritize long-term sustainable forestry practices rather than favoring extractive industries that cause irreversible damage to the environment.
The 2025 Theme of World Forestry Day: “Forests and Food”
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Nhyiraba Solomon Nartey
