In recent years, Ghana has seen a troubling rise in forest loss, with over 18,000 hectares of forests—equivalent to 30,000 football fields—destroyed in 2022 alone. Despite this alarming trend, the Ghanaian government has chosen to loosen restrictions on mining activities, even in areas critical to the country’s biodiversity. These legislative changes, passed in November 2022, have opened the door to further deforestation, particularly in protected forest reserves.
Legislative Changes Favor Mining Over Conservation
Rather than strengthening protections, the Ghanaian government has prioritized mining interests by allowing mineral extraction in critical biodiversity areas. These new laws have relaxed the rules for obtaining mining permits, leading to increased industrial activities within the country’s forest reserves. This shift is a significant setback for environmental efforts to preserve Ghana’s rich natural heritage.
The Impact of Industrial Mining on Ghana’s Forests
Ghana has long been battling the environmental destruction caused by small-scale miners, known locally as galamsey. However, the effects of industrial-scale mining have largely been ignored, even though they are the leading cause of forest loss in the country. Between 2000 and 2019, industrial mining was responsible for most of the deforestation in Ghana, placing it alongside countries like Indonesia and Brazil, which have significantly larger forest areas.
An analysis by Mongabay of Ghana’s Mineral Commission data reveals that 200 active mining licenses overlap with the country’s forest reserves, with three-quarters of these being industrial permits. These licenses affect more than a third of Ghana’s 266 forest reserves, threatening the ecological balance and biodiversity of these vital areas.
Case Study: The Destruction of the Apamprama Reserve
One of the most glaring examples of this environmental degradation is the Apamprama Reserve in Ghana’s Ashanti region. In just over 20 years, a third of this forest, which spans 3,630 hectares, has been lost. The situation worsened in the past five years, largely due to illegal mining activities and the operations of Heritage Imperial Company Limited.
This company, which first obtained a license to prospect for gold in the Apamprama Reserve in 2018, quickly escalated its activities. By 2020, Heritage Imperial had secured a full-scale industrial mining license, and in 2022, the company was granted another exploitation permit. The result has been devastating: nearly the entire reserve has been compromised, with massive deforestation and the destruction of critical habitats.
Government Policies: Targeting Small-Scale Miners, Ignoring the Big Players
The Ghanaian government has focused much of its attention on combating galamsey, the informal small-scale mining that has caused significant environmental harm. However, experts argue that this approach overlooks the more pervasive threat posed by large-scale mining operations. These industrial activities, often carried out by politically connected entities, have been allowed to flourish, causing widespread deforestation and environmental degradation.
Jasper Abembia Ayelazuno, a social scientist at Ghana’s University for Development Studies, highlights the disparity in how the government handles small-scale versus large-scale mining. He points out that while small-scale miners are often demonized, large-scale operations are encouraged and even protected by the state, exacerbating the destruction of Ghana’s forests.
The Future of Ghana’s Forests: A Grim Outlook
With the passage of legislative order LI 2462 in 2022, Ghana has seen a rapid increase in the issuance of mining permits. In just the first half of 2023, the country’s Minerals Commission issued 12 new mining leases, more than the previous two years combined. Many of these permits are for mining in ecologically sensitive areas, further endangering Ghana’s already fragile forest ecosystems.
The Atewa Range, for instance, is a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) and home to more than 1,000 plant species and 550 types of butterflies. Despite its ecological importance, multiple companies have been granted concessions to mine within Atewa, including Xtra Gold Mining Limited and Golden Star Exploration Ghana Ltd. The state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation also holds a license to mine bauxite in this critical area.
A Call to Action for Ghana’s Environmental Future
Ghana’s forests are at a critical juncture. The government’s decision to prioritize mining over conservation has set the stage for widespread environmental degradation. As more permits are issued, the risk to the country’s protected woodlands continues to grow. It is imperative for both the government and the public to recognize the long-term consequences of these actions and to push for policies that balance economic development with the preservation of Ghana’s natural heritage.
Protecting Ghana’s forests is not just about saving trees; it’s about ensuring the survival of the rich biodiversity that depends on these ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
