MEMBERS of the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF), your silence is deeply troubling. As the public voice of professional forestry, you hold a responsibility to lead the conversation about Ghana’s natural resources, yet we have not heard from you while the Mine Workers Union has taken a decisive stand, issuing an ultimatum to the government. Successive governments, through the Forestry Commission, have continuously failed to protect our forests since 1999, and this failure has cost the nation dearly, economically, environmentally, and socially.
We heard your voice in November 2023, when the Ghana Institute of Foresters bravely condemned Legislative Instrument L.I. 2462, which permitted unrestricted mining in forest reserves—a regulation that incited outrage among environmentalists, community leaders, and concerned citizens. That bold stance was much needed. Today, however, we find ourselves in even more dire circumstances, and it is crucial for your professional voice to be heard once again.
Why have the policies of the Forestry Commission—the very body entrusted to conserve and protect our precious natural assets—led to continuous encroachment into Ghana’s forest reserves, which began as far back as 1983, if not earlier? Forests that once were thriving ecosystems, sustaining biodiversity and regulating our climate, are now vulnerable and degraded. Illegal mining activities, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, have exacerbated deforestation, left riverbeds polluted with mercury, and destroyed entire ecosystems. The livelihoods of communities dependent on forest resources have been decimated, and local water bodies that once served as lifelines are now poisoned and lifeless.
Back in November 1983, I was personally alarmed by what was happening in the gold mining sector. I wrote a series of articles in The Ghanaian Times and Spectator titled ‘Ghana’s Gold: Revolution Swims or Sinks By It.’ I highlighted the exemplary protests by the People’s Defence Committees (PDCs) of Akyem Apinaman, who were resisting the licensing of portions of their forest for alluvial gold mining. Their bold resistance spoke volumes about the value of our natural heritage and their willingness to protect it, despite the risks involved.
My exposé triggered the Mine Workers Union to put pressure on Kwesi Renner, then PNDC Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources, demanding action to prevent environmental destruction. The result? An attempt on my freedom. On January 4, 1984, RSM Jack Beble and his death squad were sent to abduct me. I managed to escape, but not without the help of brave individuals. A police notice was issued declaring me a wanted man. With the assistance of the Accra Zone 7 Defence Committee, and other committed leaders from the Rail Workers, Mine Workers, and General Agricultural Workers unions, I was able to flee through Tarkwa, cross the Tano River, and reach safety in La Côte d’Ivoire. As I was paddled across the Tano River, I could clearly see the riverbed beneath me—a sight that is now unimaginable given the current state of our rivers.
These rivers, which were once sources of life and prosperity, now symbolise the failure of our forest conservation efforts
Today, the rivers Offin, Oda, Pra, Ankobra, Oti, Birim, and Tano are murky, polluted, and in peril. These rivers, which were once sources of life and prosperity, now symbolise the failure of our forest conservation efforts. Ghana Institute of Foresters, I implore you: why have we allowed these rivers to become toxic dumps? Why are our forest reserves continuously being degraded and destroyed in the name of economic gain? Why are our natural treasures being handed over to multinational corporations with little to no regard for the future of our communities?
The Ghana Mine Workers Union has spoken up and taken action. They are ready to strike in defence of our environment and our collective heritage. It is now your turn, as professionals, to step forward with your expertise, your integrity, and your conscience. We need your leadership to challenge failed policies and advocate for sustainable solutions.
Forestry is more than just the management of trees; it is about preserving ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, and ensuring that communities that depend on these resources can continue to thrive. The continued encroachment into forest reserves is not just an environmental issue—it is a social and economic one. The destruction of forests contributes to climate change, exacerbates poverty, and undermines our food and water security. Communities that once thrived on farming, fishing, and gathering forest produce are being left with barren land and polluted water. It is heartbreaking, and it demands action.
The government’s policies, influenced by corporate interests and short-term economic gains, have failed to consider the long-term impact on the environment and local communities. Ghana Institute of Foresters, you are the experts—those who understand the critical role that forests play in regulating climate, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining biodiversity. Your expertise is vital in guiding this nation toward more sustainable management of its natural resources.
What is most worrying about the current situation is the lack of transparency and accountability in the decisions being made. Legislative Instrument L.I. 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves, was pushed through without proper consultation or consideration of the environmental impact. It is essential that we hold those in power accountable for the decisions that affect the future of our country and our children. This is not just about preserving trees; it is about preserving the future of Ghana.
The need for professional voices like yours to speak up has never been more urgent. We need you to advocate for better forest management, to demand that mining activities are conducted responsibly, and to ensure that our forests are conserved for future generations. Your silence allows those who seek to exploit our natural resources for personal gain to continue unchecked. It allows for further destruction and degradation, and it lets down the communities that depend on you to be their voice.
The Ghana Mine Workers Union has made their voice heard. They are fighting for the environment because they understand that their future—and the future of their children—depends on it. I urge you to do the same. Use your professional standing and your knowledge to influence policy, to advocate for sustainable practices, and to ensure that Ghana’s forests are protected.
Our country needs more than just words—it needs leadership, action, and change. It needs a collective voice that stands up against the destruction of our natural heritage and demands that the future of Ghana is placed above the interests of a few.
Please, Ghana Institute of Foresters, let us hear your voice. Let it be loud, let it be clear, and let it be for the future of our forests, our rivers, and our nation.
