The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has issued a strong call for intensified action against the growing menace of illegal mining, which continues to devastate the country’s precious forest resources.
This urgent plea came during the Institute’s 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), under the theme “Foresters at the Forefront of Change: Tackling Mining Challenges and Advancing Forest Restoration.”
The event, attended by forestry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, focused on the alarming rate of deforestation caused by illegal mining activities across the country.
“The GIF Vice President, Mr. Isaac Adonteng, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s forest resources, emphasising that ‘the forest is not a mine in waiting.’ He expressed hope for the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, and condemned recent attacks on Forestry Commission (FC) staff who risk their lives to safeguard the Nation’s forests and wildlife resources.”
Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF)
Call for Collective Action
The Chairman of the event, Prof. Kyereh Boateng, a seasoned lecturer at KNUST, highlighted Ghana’s transition from a model of sustainable forest management to a country grappling with high deforestation rates due to illegal mining.
He also commended civil society organizations for their advocacy efforts and urged foresters to take a leading role in reversing this alarming trend.
The GIF National President, Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah Esq., who also serves on the Forestry Commission Board, described foresters as “vanguards of change” and reiterated the Institute’s steadfast support for agencies defending Ghana’s forests.
He expressed the Institute’s firm stance against the deforestation of the Achimota Forest Reserve and proposed a partnership between the Owoo Family, the original landowners of the Achimota Forest, and the Forestry Commission to promote ecotourism.
The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) is known for its long history of advocating for sustainable forest management and environmental conservation in Ghana.
As a professional body representing forestry experts, the Institute played a crucial role in shaping policies, driving research, and mobilizing collective action to address the country’s pressing environmental challenges.
One of GIF’s key initiatives in recent years has been the fight against illegal mining, which emerged as a major threat to Ghana’s forest ecosystems.
The Institute has been at the forefront of raising awareness, engaging policymakers, and collaborating with stakeholders to find effective solutions to this problem.
During the AGM, the Institute’s leadership commended the efforts of the Forestry Commission (FC) and its staff, who risk their lives to safeguard the nation’s forests and wildlife resources.
The GIF also expressed its support for the FC’s proposed transformation into a paramilitary environmental protection institution, which would strengthen its ability to combat illegal mining activities.
Legislative and Regulatory Challenges
The AGM also addressed the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, passed in 2022, which permits mining in forest reserves. Mustapha Seidu, the Director of the Nature and Development Foundation, described the law as flawed, with minimal penalties relative to the environmental damage caused. He welcomed the ongoing efforts by Parliament to repeal this legislation following public outcry.
The GIF’s call for stronger action against illegal mining resonates with the broader need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to addressing this crisis.
By leveraging the expertise of forestry professionals, collaborating with government agencies, and mobilizing public support, the Institute aims to spearhead a concerted effort to protect Ghana’s invaluable forest resources for present and future generations.
While the new GIF Governing Council takes office, led by the re-elected National President, Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah Esq., the Institute’s commitment to sustainable forest management and environmental conservation remains unwavering.
The AGM’s outcome underscores the critical role that professional bodies like the GIF play in shaping the national discourse and driving meaningful change to safeguard Ghana’s natural heritage.
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