Ghana’s forest cover is under serious threat, with the nation losing approximately 120,000 hectares of the forest cover annually, statistics released by the Forestry Commission (FC) has indicated.
This is due rapid deforestation, primarily driven by illegal logging, unsustainable agricultural practices, and mining activities, threatening biodiversity, and the economic livelihoods of millions indigenous Ghanaians.
As the nation joins the rest of the world to mark the 2025 International Forest Day (IFD) Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation LBG, revealed the figures in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and added the need nation to put in place urgent measures to conserve her forest resources.
International Forest Day is celebrated annually on March 21 and this year’s celebration is on the theme “Forest and Food” which highlights the vital role of forests.
Forests are the lungs of our earth, absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and sustaining over one third of the biodiversity
Mr Ahenu explained that the GloMeF LBG is a not-for-profit organisation which specializes in using right-based, social and behaviour change communication and evidence-based research approaches to facilitate inclusive development programmes.
He highlighted the essence of conserving the nation’s forest cover, saying forest played an integral role in ensuring environmental stability and economic prosperity, noting the “nation’s forests, once a symbol of natural abundance, are under serious threat.”
Mr Ahenu said the economic ramifications of forest degradation in the country were substantial, worrying that the forestry sector, a vital component of the economy “is facing unprecedented challenges.”
According to a 2024 report by the World Bank, deforestation, and forest degradation cost Ghana an estimated 2.5 percent of her annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This loss is attributed to the decline in ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and soil fertility, which are crucial for agriculture and climate resilience.
Mr Ahenu noted that the degradation of forests exacerbated the impacts of climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Rural communities, particularly those reliant on forest resources, are experiencing heightened food insecurity and poverty as their traditional means of livelihood are threatened.
“In response to this crisis, the Ghanaian government, in partnership with international organizations, has implemented several initiatives aimed at reversing deforestation trends,” he stated.
The Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, for example, has successfully restored 200,000 hectares of degraded forest lands since its inception, with a target of 500,000 hectares by 2040, he cited.
Additionally, the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program continues to promote sustainable land-use practices and enhance forest governance.
However, experts stress that these efforts must be complemented by stronger enforcement of forestry laws, increased community involvement, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods to alleviate pressure on forest resources.
Mr Ahenu called for intensified public awareness campaigns and educational programmes to foster a culture of conservation and sustainability, and called on stakeholders including government, civil society, private sector, and local communities to unite in the fight to protect the nation’s forest resources.
GNA