Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga has called for a paradigm shift in Ghana’s approach to forest conservation and reforestation.
He emphasized the need for commitment, strategic planning, and accountability to restore the country’s lost forest cover.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, March 20, he stressed the severe impact of both illegal and legal mining activities on Ghana’s forests and outlined key government measures aimed at reversing the damage.
Mr. Ayariga commended President John Dramani Mahama for directing the Ministry for Environment to present a legislative instrument that would strip him off the power to authorize mining in forest reserves.
He described this move as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to protect Ghana’s forests, emphasizing that it underscores a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
While acknowledging that illegal mining (galamsey) has contributed immensely to deforestation, he also pointed out that even legal mining has caused significant destruction.
However, he noted that some responsible mining companies have implemented successful forest restoration programs, demonstrating that forests can be regenerated if the right policies and commitments are in place.
The Majority Leader expressed concern over past tree-planting exercises, arguing that although significant amounts of money have been invested in such initiatives, many of the trees planted have not survived due to poor planning and a lack of proper follow-ups.
He insisted that tree planting should not be a mere ceremonial exercise but rather a well-structured program with clear objectives and accountability measures.
To ensure an effective approach to reforestation, he proposed the development of a long-term, structured plan rather than one-time tree-planting events.
He also suggested that Members of Parliament (MPs) be actively involved, with each MP assigned specific forest restoration projects and held accountable for their progress.
Additionally, he recommended annual reviews of reforested areas to assess whether the planted trees have grown into actual forests.
