The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (CSIR-FORIG) is calling on stakeholders to support research works to reclaim lands degraded by illegal mining.
The institute has discovered three indigenous tree species with potentials to stabilize degraded lands for agricultural production.
Director of the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Prof. Daniel Ofori called on stakeholders to aid in the collective mobilization of resources to upscale the ongoing research.
He made the call during a seminar on phytoremediation potential of tree species at FORIG, Fumesua.
“As stakeholders concerned with sustainability of our forest and environment, I would like us to think through what we can do together to collectively mobilize resources to upscale the study to include many tree species,” he said.
Illegal mining remains a major contributor to the rapid declination of forest resources in Ghana.
Cocoa plantations usually serve as sites for the illegal activity.
Research revealed cocoa, a major export commodity of the country, accumulates the heavy metal like mercury released through illegal mining activities.
FORIG scientists have been exploring a technology known as, phytoremediation, which involves the use of plants to restore heavy metal contaminated areas.
Prof. Ofori assured “remediating plantations including cocoa lands would help reduce the possible in-flow of these toxic substances into cocoa plants”.
Stakeholders present at the function called for expansion of the study into other indigenous tree species with remediation potentials.
They also called for partnership of other relevant stakeholders including universities, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minerals Commission to leverage benefits of the project.
Latest Stories
-
Samson’s Take: Arrogance of Power, Shameful Policing
5 hours -
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
7 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
7 hours -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
7 hours -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
7 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
8 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
8 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
8 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
9 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
10 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
10 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
10 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
10 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
11 hours -
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
12 hours