KMA forestry coordinator calls out Ghanaian leaders over forest devastation, appeals for drastic measures

The Forestry Coordinator for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Bannor Duodu, has pointed fingers at politicians and traditional leaders for the rapid destruction of Ghana's forest reserves, accusing them of complicity in the illegal mining (galamsey) menace.

He urged President John Dramani Mahama and traditional rulers nationwide to forge an urgent, collaborative alliance to halt illegal mining before the country's forest reserves, agricultural lands and water bodies are permanently destroyed.

Duodu made these remarks during a joint tree-planting exercise at Kumasi Wesley Girls' Senior High School, organised by Ecobank Ghana in partnership with the Forestry Commission.

The Forestry Coordinator argued that politicians and chiefs hold the primary responsibility for the ongoing ecological crisis because they are the constitutional and traditional custodians of Ghana's lands and forest reserves.

"We must be honest with ourselves. Before anyone can enter these forest reserves to mine or log illegally, they seek permission from Nananom (chiefs) and local political actors. They cannot operate without the approval of those who guard our lands," he said.

He therefore appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to institute and strictly enforce uncompromising, state-level measures to permanently end illegal mining in forest reserves.

Also speaking at the event, the Branch Manager for KNUST Ecobank, Mrs Nadia Osei Antwi, expressed concern over humanity's collective negligence towards the ecosystem. She observed a disturbing double standard in how people prioritise personal safety while neglecting the environment that sustains them.

"Everybody wants to protect themselves, yet we consistently fail to protect the very environment we live in," Mrs Antwi stated.

She urged Ghanaians to make tree planting a personal responsibility to combat climate change, restore degraded landscapes and guarantee a healthier future for generations to come.

The Headmistress of Kumasi Wesley Girls' Senior High School, Awuraba Love Amankwa Baffour Awuah, expressed profound gratitude to both Ecobank and the Forestry Commission for selecting the school for this impactful initiative.

She assured the partners that the school management and students would diligently protect, monitor and nurture the newly planted trees to ensure their survival and improve the microclimate of the school environment.