Scientists have raised fresh concerns over the rapid loss of Ghana’s biodiversity, warning that the continued destruction of forests, indigenous plant species and genetic resources could have far-reaching consequences for food security, climate resilience and economic development.
The warning was issued during a Biodiversity Media Learning Initiative workshop organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (CSIR-PGRRI), the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at Bunso in the Eastern Region.
Experts at the event cautioned that illegal mining, deforestation, land degradation, logging and climate change were accelerating the loss of valuable plant genetic resources, many of which are critical for agriculture, medicine, environmental sustainability and future scientific research.
Dr. Edmund Owusu, Senior Research Scientist and Plant Pathologist at CSIR-PGRRI, described the situation as increasingly alarming, noting that many indigenous plant species were disappearing from their natural habitats at an unprecedented rate.
According to him, Ghana, which forms part of the globally recognised Guinean Forest biodiversity hotspot, is gradually losing species that exist nowhere else in the world.
He revealed that about 146 forest tree species in the country are currently listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, while some have become so rare that only a few juvenile trees remain in the wild.
Dr. Owusu explained that scientists are increasingly forced to rescue and preserve endangered species before their habitats are destroyed by human activities.
To help safeguard threatened species, CSIR-PGRRI and the IUCN have established a three-acre live threatened tree gene bank at Bunso, where genetic materials from endangered trees such as Odum, Wawa, Mahogany, Baku, Kusia, Asanfena and Cola Boxiana are being conserved for future restoration efforts.
He stressed that maintaining genetic diversity was essential for the long-term resilience of forests and ecosystems, warning that restoration programmes relying on limited genetic sources could weaken the ability of forests to adapt to environmental changes.
Beyond forests, researchers say biodiversity loss is also affecting food production systems.
Dr. Matilda Bissah, a Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-PGRRI, noted that several neglected and underutilised crops possess enormous potential to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and enhance climate resilience.
She said the Ghana National Genebank at Bunso currently conserves 81 of the 101 globally recognised neglected and underutilised crop species, including varieties that could help communities adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Dr. Bissah advocated increased promotion and utilisation of such crops for food, medicinal purposes and income generation, stressing that biodiversity conservation must be linked to practical benefits for communities.
She also called for stronger environmental policies to ensure that individuals and organisations responsible for degrading natural resources bear responsibility for the damage caused.
Development partners at the workshop underscored the need for greater public awareness and media engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts.
Mr. Rusmond Didewuyem Anyinah, Project Coordinator of the Nature-Based Climate Adaptation in the Guinean Forests of West Africa Project, said journalists had an important role to play in highlighting conservation initiatives and encouraging public participation in environmental protection.
He noted that WUSC, in collaboration with CSIR-PGRRI and IUCN, had supported the establishment of gene banks and other conservation interventions over the past three years to help preserve Ghana’s biological heritage.
Meanwhile, restoration activities continue across degraded landscapes.
Ms. Dorcus Owusuwaa Agyei of IUCN disclosed that nearly 2,893 hectares of degraded land were restored between 2024 and 2025 under the Nature-Based Climate Adaptation in the Guinean Forests of West Africa Project, with an additional 2,000 hectares targeted for restoration this year.
However, she warned that environmental degradation remains extensive, particularly in areas affected by illegal mining, where some forest reserves remain inaccessible.
Experts also highlighted the economic opportunities embedded in biodiversity conservation.
Mr. Victor Nketia, Head of Commercialisation at CSIR-PGRRI, pointed to crops such as nutmeg as examples of underexploited resources that could generate income, create jobs and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports if properly developed and commercialised.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts, scientists say significant challenges remain.
Dr. Daniel Ashie Kotey, Director of CSIR-PGRRI, revealed that the institute requires substantial annual funding to maintain its gene banks and meet international conservation standards, while staffing and infrastructure constraints continue to affect operations.
Researchers argue that protecting biodiversity requires sustained investment, stronger law enforcement, improved policy implementation and greater public commitment to environmental stewardship.
They emphasised that while gene banks provide an important safeguard against extinction, the ultimate goal must be to preserve species within their natural ecosystems, where they continue to support livelihoods, ecological balance and national development.
As pressures on Ghana’s forests and natural landscapes intensify, conservationists warn that the decisions taken today will determine whether future generations inherit a rich biological heritage or a diminished natural environment.
