The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has sounded a fresh alarm over the deteriorating state of Ghana’s environment, warning that illegal logging, galamsey activities, and widespread pollution of water bodies pose a serious threat to the country’s future.
He made the call during the launch of the Atiwa Centenary Celebration and the Green Atiwa Forest Festival (GAFFES) in Akyem Kyebi, Eastern Region, an event marking 100 years of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve — one of Ghana’s most important biodiversity hotspots and a globally recognised Important Bird Area.
Addressing chiefs, opinion leaders, and government representatives, the Okyenhene urged traditional authorities, policymakers, and communities to work together to confront environmental destruction, particularly illegal mining within the Atiwa Forest Reserve.
According to him, galamsey activities are devastating the forest ecosystem, contaminating rivers and streams, and undermining livelihoods that depend on clean water and a healthy environment.
He stressed that the situation demands strong political will, effective regulation, and sustainable alternatives for communities whose survival currently depends on environmentally harmful practices.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin warned that failure to act decisively could lead to irreversible damage, including loss of biodiversity, depletion of forest cover, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, with long-term consequences for both present and future generations.
Speaking at the same event, the Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, called on Ghanaians to take personal and collective responsibility for protecting the environment, water bodies, and forest reserves.
She cautioned against deforestation, describing it as a selfish act that endangers humanity’s existence. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that the world’s ecosystems are interconnected, and damage to one part ultimately affects everyone.
“It is very selfish to cut trees or destroy any part of the ecological system,” she said. “We need to take care of these trees for generations to come. We must be selfless and think beyond ourselves.”
Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony echoed similar sentiments, urging Ghanaians to set aside political differences and unite in the fight against environmental degradation. They emphasized that protecting Ghana’s natural resources is a shared responsibility crucial for sustainable development and national survival.
