President Nana Akufo-Addo’s declaration at the UNFCCC COP 29 in Baku that Ghana has restored 721,000 hectares of forest since 2017 has been met with sharp criticism from the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey.

The coalition, in a fiery press release, cast doubt on the President’s claims, arguing that they contradict the ecological realities on the ground.

While acknowledging the need for forest restoration, the coalition described the President’s statement as “pretentious” and accused his administration of failing to protect Ghana’s forests from the twin scourges of illegal mining and unsustainable policies.

“The reality is, while we were supposedly planting trees, we actively pursued policies that facilitated the destruction of natural forests,” the statement read.

Citing the 2022 passage of Regulation L.I. 2462, which opened protected forests to mining, the coalition lambasted the government for undermining its international commitments, including its membership in the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership.

“These actions contradict Ghana’s hard-earned reputation for sustainable forest management and highlight the government’s complicity in the unprecedented destruction of forest reserves,” the coalition emphasized.

The coalition provided sobering data to counter the President’s restoration claims.

“Over 48,000 hectares of gazetted forest reserves have been earmarked for mining, and 4,800 hectares have already been destroyed.

"Illegal mining activities have impacted over 35 forest reserves, compromising the ecological integrity of 350,000 hectares of forests,” they detailed.

The devastating impact of illegal mining extends beyond forests, with the Ghana Cocoa Board reporting massive losses of cocoa farmlands due to galamsey.

The coalition noted, “In just one year, an estimated 21,000 hectares of cocoa farms were destroyed, affecting 68% of cocoa farmlands in Ashanti, 81% in Eastern, and 74% in Western Regions.”

The coalition did not hold back in questioning the President’s legacy, describing his tenure as an era of “environmental neglect” and accusing him of presiding over one of the worst ecological crises in Ghana’s history.

“Under your watch, Ghana’s rivers are poisoned, forests razed, and farmlands degraded. Your inaction has exposed citizens to grave health risks and compounded our vulnerability to climate shocks,” the statement charged.

Asking the President to reflect on the legacy he will leave behind, the coalition urged him to take decisive action.

“Mr President, will you be remembered as the leader who stood idly by while Ghana’s natural heritage was recklessly plundered? Or will you summon the courage to address this grave injustice?” they asked.

Failed Promises: Galamsey Crisis Drowns Ghana’s Environmental Commitments

The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has delivered a damning assessment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s handling of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, accusing his administration of making hollow promises and failing to act decisively.

In their press release, the coalition highlighted the contradiction between the President’s pledges and the worsening environmental crisis under his leadership.

“Mr. President, what happened to the promises you made to the people of Ghana—the botched fight against galamsey, the broken commitments to citizens, and the failed assurances to Organized Labour?” the coalition queried.

The statement pointed to the President’s vow to deploy military forces to protect rivers as an example of unfulfilled promises.

“Where are the updates, and what tangible results can you show Ghanaians?” the coalition asked, describing the President’s statements at COP 29 as disconnected from reality.

They argued that under the President’s leadership, illegal mining has reached unprecedented levels, devastating not only forest reserves but also agricultural lands and water bodies.

“Over 68% of cocoa farmlands in key regions have been destroyed by galamsey. Entire communities are left without alternative water sources as rivers are poisoned,” the coalition revealed.

The coalition further criticized the government for suppressing dissent and frustrating local efforts to combat irresponsible mining.

“It is the citizens and CSOs who deserve recognition for their unwavering vigilance, not an administration that has repeatedly failed to address impunity and abuse,” they noted.

Warning of the lasting implications of inaction, the coalition said the President’s legacy is at stake. “Every illness, every fatality, and every community devastated by galamsey will mark your tenure indelibly,” they cautioned.

As the President’s term nears its end, the coalition challenged him to rewrite the narrative.

“The clock is ticking. Will you rise to the occasion or leave behind a legacy of irreversible damage to Ghana’s natural heritage?” they concluded.