Environmental NGO A Rocha Ghana has challenged recent statements made by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, regarding the condition of Ghana’s forest reserves.
Despite the Minister’s assurance in Parliament on February 23 that he was satisfied with the management and integrity of the country’s forest reserves, A Rocha Ghana contends that his claims contradict available public information.
In a statement, A Rocha Ghana highlighted the severe impact of illegal mining activities, known as “galamsey,” and illegal logging, which have not yet been addressed or restored. The NGO argued that these ongoing issues render the Minister’s claim of maintained ecological integrity implausible.
“The Minister stated that the ecological integrity of Ghana’s Forest Reserves has largely been maintained. This is a moot point,” the statement read. It pointed to numerous reserves, including Krokosua, Sui River, and Tano Suraw Extension, among others, which have suffered extensive damage. Furthermore, in mid-January, various forest sites were reported as active galamsey locations, undermining claims of effective management.
A Rocha Ghana’s field assessments indicate that the Forestry Commission continues to struggle with daily illegal activities, lacking new logistical or operational support to bolster their efforts.
The Minister also reminded Parliament of the government’s declaration of river bodies as RED ZONES for mining, citing the President’s 2021 ban on mining near water bodies and forest reserves. However, A Rocha Ghana noted that the Minerals Commission issued several licenses in 2022 and 2023 for areas overlapping critical water bodies, exacerbating existing damage from galamsey.
Rivers such as the Ankobra, Pra, Tano, and Ofin are reportedly suffering from severe pollution, impacting local communities’ health and agriculture, with issues such as kidney problems becoming more prevalent due to contaminated water sources.
Read the full statement by A Rocha Ghana below:
Answering a specific question in Parliament on 23 February about the State of Ghana’s Forest Reserves, the Honourable Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor gave a statement that appears inconsistent with publicly available information.
A Rocha Ghana wishes to highlight these inconsistencies and fill a few of the gaps to ensure Ghanaians have a clearer picture of the state of Ghana’s Forest Reserves. This action has also become necessary considering all attempts to get an audience to discuss these matters have proved futile.
Our concerns and observations are presented in line with the main sub-sections as identified in the Minister’s statement to the Honourable House.
Ecological Integrity of Ghana Forest Reserves
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, Afao 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.
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. From our checks on the …
By Daakyehene nana yaw Asante
