Environmental NGO, A Rocha Ghana, has dismissed a recent claim by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, that Ghana’s forest reserve remains intact.

Answering a specific question in Parliament, on the State of Ghana’s Forest Reserves, Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, submitted that he was satisfied with the management of Ghana’s forest reserves. But according to A Rocha Ghana, there is inconsistency with the publicly available information, compared to the Minister’s claims.

A statement by the NGO noted that with the extensive damage from galamsey, illegal logging in some forest reserves yet to be restored, the statement by the Minister is farfetched.

“The Minister stated that the ecological integrity of Ghana’s Forest Reserves has largely been maintained, this is a moot point. With the extensive damage from galamsey, clear felling and farming in some forest reserves yet to be restored, this statement is farfetched. Forest Reserves such as Krokosua, Sui River, Tano Suraw Extension, Aflao Hills, Upper Wassaw, Anhwiaso West and East, Supuma Shelterbelt, Tano Offin, and Denyau Shelterbelt, all appear to be lacking ecological integrity, due to extensive damage.
“Further, in mid-January, forest sites Denyau Site 1, 2 and 3, Supoma Site 1 and 2, Ntakem 1 and 2, and forest reserves of Numereso, Bepo Tintin, Kubi, Watreso, Adamso, Bunsu, Brechakrom, Amponuase, Apapraman, Hiayeya, Pomposo, were all reported to be live galamsey sites.”
A Rocha Ghana

According to A Rocha, its checks on the ground revealed that the Forestry Commission, was still struggling on a day-to-day basis to keep out illegal activities from the Forest Reserves, without any new logistical or operational support, added to the existing set-up.

The Minister reminded Parliament that the government has declared river bodies as RED ZONES for mining, referring to the President’s strict April 2021 ban on mining in or near water bodies, as well as in Forest Reserves. But According to A Rocha Ghana, despite the ban, the Minerals Commission has issued out several licenses in 2022 and 2023, that straddle critical water bodies, including the exact locations already decimated by galamsey.

Those river locations include the Ankobra, Pra, Tano and Ofin, among others and the communities are suffering greatly from the pollution of their water sources and farmlands, which has already affecting their health.

Integrity of Ghana Forest Reserves And Permits for Mining

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stated that the ecological integrity of Ghana’s Forest Reserves, has largely been maintained. A Rocha claimed, that statement was a moot point and farfetched because with the extensive damage from galamsey, clear felling and farming in some forest reserves were yet to be restored.

“We urge the President and Lands Minister to explain the meaning of ‘cordoned off all Forest Reserves’ and rid them of illegal mining, a statement they continue to repeat, but the meaning is far from clear. Transparency in the state of Ghana’s Forest Reserves is critical, especially as this will promote targeted restoration and reforestation actions.
“The Honorable Minister, stated a total of six Forest Entry Permits have been issued for mining in Forest Reserves and listed them all. However, this list is incomplete. Asante Gold announced on 3 August 2021, that the Government of Ghana had just granted the company a Forest Entry Permit covering all forest areas within its Kubi mining lease, but this was not enlisted”
A Rocha Ghana

In clarifying the President’s bans, the Minister stated that moving forward, the Forestry Commission would not issue Forest Entry Permits for purposes of mining in Forest Reserves. A Rocha Ghana, claimed that it would appear that Permits, were still issued after the President’s strict ban on new Forestry Entry Permits for mining.

“These trees serve so many purposes including climate change mitigation, wildlife corridors, and shade for people. The carbon benefits alone of old trees, take decades to replace. Many examples across the world exist, where urban planners have imaginatively diverted roads to avoid cutting trees down.
“The area retains its beauty, and the city can boast of its innovative and imaginative work. But there is nothing like that in Accra, just more dead trees and more bare skylines. We encourage urban planners to use imagination and innovation that work with nature, and this even reduces government’s costs and effort.”
A Rocha Ghana

A Rocha Ghana, entreated the Ministry to ensure effective alignment of the Green Ghana Agenda with Roads and Urban planning, as well as infrastructure construction projects and interventions.

“We are therefore, keenly observing how Urban Roads and the Ministry of Lands, will work together to re-imagine the ongoing road construction works to save the beautiful alley of mahogany trees straddling the road side, beginning from Transitions to Kwabenya roundabout, on the Atomic-Kwabenya road.”
A Rocha Ghana