Ghana’s forests are rapidly disappearing, with the nation losing approximately 120,000 hectares of forest cover annually, according to statistics from the Forestry Commission (FC). This alarming rate of deforestation is primarily driven by illegal logging, unsustainable farming practices, and mining activities, posing a severe threat to biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.
As Ghana joins the global community to mark the 2025 International Forest Day (IFD) on March 21 under the theme “Forest and Food,” environmental advocates are calling for urgent measures to protect and restore the country’s forests.
Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation LBG (GloMeF), highlighted the critical situation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA). He emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies to conserve Ghana’s dwindling forest resources, noting that forests serve as the “lungs of the Earth” by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and supporting over a third of global biodiversity.
GloMeF, a not-for-profit organization, employs rights-based, social, and behavior change communication approaches to promote inclusive development programs. Mr. Ahenu stressed that Ghana’s forests, once a symbol of natural abundance, are now under serious threat, which has significant economic consequences.
According to a 2024 World Bank report, deforestation and forest degradation cost Ghana an estimated 2.5 percent of its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The loss of crucial ecosystem services—such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and soil fertility—directly impacts agriculture and climate resilience, worsening food insecurity and poverty, particularly in rural communities reliant on forest resources.
Mr. Ahenu warned that unchecked forest degradation exacerbates climate change effects, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. In response, the Ghanaian government, in collaboration with international organizations, has launched several initiatives to combat deforestation.
One such effort, the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, has successfully restored 200,000 hectares of degraded forest lands, with a goal of reaching 500,000 hectares by 2040. Additionally, the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program continues to promote sustainable land-use practices and improve forest governance.
Despite these initiatives, experts argue that more needs to be done. Stronger enforcement of forestry laws, increased community participation, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods are essential to reducing pressure on forest resources. Mr. Ahenu called for intensified public awareness campaigns and educational programs to encourage conservation and sustainability.
He urged all stakeholders—including the government, civil society, private sector, and local communities—to unite in the fight against deforestation and protect Ghana’s forests for future generations. “Without immediate action, the environmental and economic consequences of deforestation will be devastating,” he warned.
