President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s declaration at the COP 29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan that Ghana has restored 721,000 hectares of forest since 2017 has ignited debate among environmental advocates and civil society organizations.
While the President’s remarks underscore a commitment to combating deforestation and climate change, critics argue that government-backed mining operations and weak environmental safeguards undermine these claims.
Despite Ghana’s membership in global initiatives like the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership, its domestic policies have raised eyebrows. In 2022, the government passed Regulation L.I. 2462, permitting mining in previously protected forests. As a result, over 48,000 hectares of forest reserves have been designated for mining, with 4,800 hectares already lost. Reports indicate that illegal mining, or galamsey, has severely impacted 35 forest reserves, further damaging Ghana’s environmental reputation.
Illegal mining activities have not only degraded forests but also devastated cocoa farmlands, a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy. The Ghana Cocoa Board reported that galamsey affected 68% of cocoa farms in the Ashanti Region, 81% in the Eastern Region, and 74% in the Western Region, destroying an estimated 21,000 hectares of cocoa farms between 2022 and 2023 alone.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) and advocacy groups, including the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, continue to challenge the government’s environmental policies.
In a press statement released by the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, the group argue that tree-planting initiatives touted by the administration fall short of addressing the scale of deforestation and environmental degradation across the country.
They emphasized that the President’s announcement fails to align with the stark realities on the ground, accusing government of simultaneously and actively pursuing policies and legislation that facilitated the destruction of natural forests, undermining Ghana’s hard-earned reputation and progress in sustainable forest management over the past two decades.
“Over 48,000 hectares of gazetted forest reserves are earmarked for conversion to mining areas and 4800 hectares already destroyed by Ghana’s irresponsible mining pursuit. So far, not less than, 35 forest reserves have been severely impacted by the activities of illegal miners. All together the ecological integrity of over 350,000 hectares of forests will be severely comprised as a result” the group stressed.
Again, illegal and irresponsible mining has significantly undermined Ghana’s credibility as a member of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey noted that Ghana’s direct actions or omissions have failed to uphold commitments outlined by the partnership, contradicting its leadership in forest conservation and climate action.
The coalition also quizzed the President on his promises made to the country on the fight against galamsey during the build-up to the 2020 elections, asserting that is not the narrative today.
