The Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Christopher Gordon, has predicted that Ghana's cocoa industry could collapse by 2080 if the current rate of environmental degradation continues.

His comment is based on recent environmental research.

“The projection is that by 2080, we cannot grow cocoa in Ghana except as a monumental crop because the conditions would have changed so much,” he stated.   

He said this during the launch of the maiden biannual forum on natural resources, environment, climate change and science; BiM-NECS in Accra on Monday, 12th June 2023.   

Organized by the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC) and Afro Sino Center for International Relations (ASCIR), the launch of the maiden biannual forum on natural resources, environment, climate change and science BiM-NECS initiative, is aimed at redirecting the media's focus on exploring responsible environmental reporting for sustainability.

The launch, which was held under the theme “Strengthening media focus on the natural environment, climate change and science: challenges, prospects and the way forward witnessed a panel discussion and contributions from journalists across Africa through video conferencing.

According to a recent Ghana Country Environmental Analysis by the World Bank, environmental degradation costs the nation an estimated $11 billion requiring urgent steps to tackle it.

To help reverse the dangerous effects of environmental ruin, Executive Director of the MPEC, Ama Kudom-Agyeman said the biannual forum is a necessary step to help enhance national conversation on climate issues.

“We are here to enhance our contribution to the debate, to the conversation, on how to streamline things when it comes to how to manage environmental issues, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation and the role of science because science must come in with the innovation and technology to back whatever development we want to see in our nations and we want to start that conversation,” she said.

While environmental scientists are urging the media to play a pivotal role in rolling back the menace, some environmental journalists highlighted threats and lack of interest in the field as well as difficulty accessing information from public officials as major hurdles.

“Journalists have shied away from environmental reporting because it is not a sexy area. It is so hard”, said one journalist.

Another environmental journalist noted, “When you want a public official to make a pronouncement on an issue you’re reporting on, it becomes difficult getting information.

"If you dare go to areas whether it is large scale or small scale mining, you’re putting your life on the line because people see you as you’re trying to take food out of their mouths.”

Environmental journalists across the country and on the continent of Africa are said to be facing intimidation for exposing critical environmental issues.

But speaking in an interview with Joy News on the sidelines, a Professor from the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Modestus Fosu charged media practitioners to remain ethical and strong-willed in the face of political intimidation on environmental reporting.

“If you do your work sincerely, not with any biased mind and do so ethically, the intimidation is something the journalist should be able to surmount. It is difficult, but I will only encourage journalists to be strong to be able to feel in their conscience that they are doing the right thing,” he advised.

Executives of MPEC have instituted an award scheme to recognize seven outstanding institutions and individuals over two years for their outstanding contributions to curbing environmental challenges in the country.