Coalition Questions Akufo-Addo’s COP 29 Claims on Forest Restoration

President Nana Akufo-Addo’s assertion at the UNFCCC COP 29 in Baku that Ghana has restored 721,000 hectares of forest since 2017 has drawn significant criticism from the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey.

In a pointed press release, the coalition challenged the President’s claims, suggesting they are at odds with the ecological realities in the country. While acknowledging the importance of forest restoration, they labeled the President’s statement as “pretentious” and accused his administration of failing to protect Ghana’s forests from the dual threats of illegal mining and unsustainable policies.

“The truth is, while we were supposedly planting trees, we actively pursued policies that facilitated the destruction of natural forests,” the coalition asserted.

They highlighted the 2022 enactment of Regulation L.I. 2462, which allowed mining in protected forests, as a critical misstep that undermined Ghana’s international commitments, including its participation in the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership.

“These actions contradict Ghana’s hard-earned reputation for sustainable forest management and expose the government’s role in the unprecedented destruction of forest reserves,” the coalition emphasized.

The coalition presented troubling statistics to refute the President’s restoration claims, stating, “Over 48,000 hectares of gazetted forest reserves have been earmarked for mining, with 4,800 hectares already destroyed. Illegal mining has affected over 35 forest reserves, compromising the ecological integrity of 350,000 hectares of forests.”

Furthermore, the detrimental effects of illegal mining extend beyond forests, with the Ghana Cocoa Board reporting substantial losses in cocoa farmlands attributed to galamsey activities. “In just one year, an estimated 21,000 hectares of cocoa farms were lost, impacting 68% of cocoa farmlands in Ashanti, 81% in Eastern, and 74% in Western Regions,” they stated.

The coalition did not shy away from scrutinizing the President’s legacy, labeling his tenure as an era of “environmental neglect” and claiming he has overseen one of the worst ecological crises in Ghana’s history. “Under your watch, Ghana’s rivers are poisoned, forests razed, and farmlands degraded. Your inaction has exposed citizens to grave health risks and increased our vulnerability to climate shocks,” they charged.

They urged the President to consider the legacy he wishes to leave behind, asking, “Mr. President, will you be remembered as the leader who stood idly by while Ghana’s natural heritage was recklessly plundered? Or will you summon the courage to address this grave injustice?”

Media Coalition Critiques Government’s Response to Galamsey Crisis

The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has also delivered a scathing critique of President Akufo-Addo’s handling of illegal mining, known as galamsey, accusing his administration of failing to deliver on its promises and allowing the environmental crisis to worsen.

In their statement, the coalition highlighted the disparity between the President’s pledges and the ongoing environmental degradation. “Mr. President, what happened to the promises you made to the people of Ghana? The botched fight against galamsey, the broken commitments to citizens, and the failed assurances to Organized Labour?” they questioned.

The coalition pointed to the President’s commitment to deploy military forces to protect rivers as an example of unfulfilled promises. “Where are the updates, and what tangible results can you show Ghanaians?” they asked, describing the President’s comments at COP 29 as disconnected from reality.

They argued that under the President’s leadership, illegal mining has escalated, causing extensive damage to both forest reserves and agricultural land. “Over 68% of cocoa farmlands in key regions have been devastated by galamsey, leaving entire communities without alternative water sources as rivers are poisoned,” they revealed.

Additionally, the coalition criticized the government for suppressing dissent and hindering local efforts to combat irresponsible mining. “It is the citizens and civil society organizations who deserve recognition for their vigilance, not an administration that has repeatedly failed to tackle impunity and abuse,” they noted.

With the clock ticking down on the President’s term, the coalition warned of the lasting repercussions of inaction. “Every illness, every fatality, and every community devastated by galamsey will mark your tenure indelibly,” they cautioned.

They challenged the President to change the narrative as his term approaches its end: “The clock is ticking. Will you rise to the occasion or leave behind a legacy of irreversible damage to Ghana’s natural heritage?”