Private legal practitioner and policy consultant, Oliver Barker-Vormawor is calling for an immediate cessation of activities leading to the destruction of Ghana’s forest cover and the pollution of water bodies.
His call comes as part of a broader initiative aimed at improving natural resource governance and environmental management in the country.
Barker-Vormawor’s remarks followed a three-day residential Knowledge and Sensitization Training Workshop organized by Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE).
The workshop is to equip community stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for advocating environmental rights and better natural resource management, particularly within the extractive sector.
In his address to the media, Barker-Vormawor expressed grave concern about the ongoing destruction and degradation of Ghana’s forest reserves and arable lands.
Accoridng to him, the current state of the country’s forest resources should be a matter of collective concern and action.
Meanwhile, Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana, provided insights into the program’s objectives during an interview with Adom News.
He highlighted the urgent need for Ghana to adopt responsible mining practices to mitigate environmental damage and safeguard lives.
Participants in the workshop echoed the concerns raised by Barker-Vormawor and Bosu, emphasizing that the reduction of the country’s forest cover through both deliberate actions and negligence necessitates immediate protective measures to ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
The workshop underscored the critical need for a unified effort in preserving Ghana’s environmental heritage, with a focus on enforcing responsible practices and raising awareness about the importance of protecting the nation’s forest resources.