The Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS) is proposing the establishment of a law that imprisons persons found culpable of causing wanton destruction to Ghana’s ecosystem.

Describing the present destruction of the country’s natural resources as ‘ecocide’ – the extensive destruction of the ecosystem – the CCCFS is advocating the consideration of the act as a heinous crime at par with murder.

The proposed law seeks to imprison environmental culprits to a minimum 20-year jail term or up to a 10 million cedi fine and a death penalty for aggravated ecocide or environmental terrorism.

The think-tank cites environmental degradation, food security threats, climate change, human rights and economic consequences as reasons for the proposed law.

The Centre believes the concept of ecocide adopted by some countries around the globe is helping to safeguard the environment against human-induced destruction.

The CCCFS mentioned at least sixteen forms of ecocide in the country, including the destruction of some major forest reserves such as the Atewa forest, Kakum National Park and Achimota forest.

Pollution of water bodies like the River Birim and the Tarkwa River were also cited by the centre as one of the extensive destruction caused by illegal miners in the country, warranting the consideration of the ecocide law.