An environmentalist and a former director at the Forestry Commission, Oti Awere has bemoaned the spate of forest degradation through farming and estate development.

According to him, poor farming practices and building construction projects are destroying forests.

He advised Ghanaian farmers to avoid the shifting cultivation systems to end the degradation of forest reserves, while estate developers are urged to consider putting up vertical buildings to better manage land.

"It is not only galamsey that is destroying our lands but how we will build and farm in this country. We must focus on story building and also avoid shifting cultivation which is a threat to the sustainability in the next 60 years to come," he told Nhyira Fm.

Mr. Oti Awere observed the devastating effect of losing the forest cover on human existence. He indicated that deforestation can lead to the depletion of the ozone layer which exposes human beings and animals to cancer and other diseases.

"When we destroy our forest, it depletes the ozone layer which serves as a protective material against the sun's ultraviolet rays. When animals and human beings are exposed to these rays, it causes cancer which is the leading killer in the world today," he stated.

The environmental expert who headed the tourism and commercial development at the wildlife division of the Forestry Commission has advised the government to take a careful consideration on banning all forms of mining including galamsey.

According to Mr. Oti, a total ban on mining will worsen the unemployment rate which will be a national security threat.

He believes the solution to illegal mining in Ghana is finding alternative livelihood for the youth who are a majority in the galamsey activities.

"If we ban galamsey totally, how would the youth who are into this as a source of livelihood survive? This can lead to national security issues. We need a gradual approach in combating this menace by finding an alternative livelihood for the youth who are into galamsey," he opined.