The Government of the United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s environmental protection and forest governance agenda through the commissioning and handover of 10 forest protection camps and two checkpoint accommodation facilities to Ghana’s Forestry Commission.
The facilities, situated within the Oda River Forest Reserve near Numereso in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region, are expected to significantly strengthen frontline operations against illegal mining, illegal logging, and encroachment in forest reserves across the country.
The project forms part of the UK Government’s support under the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme, implemented in partnership with Ghanaian institutions to improve forest monitoring, law enforcement, and sustainable natural resource governance.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, representatives of the UK Government described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the strong partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom in promoting environmental sustainability and protecting critical forest ecosystems.
According to the UK Deputy High Commission , Terri Sarch, Ghana’s forests continue to face increasing threats from illegal mining and logging activities, making it necessary to strengthen operational capacity and enhance cooperation among forestry officers, security agencies, and local communities.
She noted that the newly constructed facilities would improve rapid response operations and help protect vulnerable forest landscapes that are increasingly under pressure from environmental crimes.
The intervention by the UK Government has been widely praised by stakeholders and traditional authorities, who described the support as timely and critical in the fight against environmental degradation.
The Twafoɔhene of the Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Boampim Perko II, commended the United Kingdom for supporting Ghana’s forest conservation agenda and called for even stronger measures to restore degraded forest reserves.
He proposed a bold four-year closure of forest reserves across the country to allow ecosystems to regenerate, drawing comparisons with the closed fishing season policy introduced in the fisheries sector.
“Our forests are dying gradually, and if we do not take drastic decisions today, future generations may not have any forest resources left to depend on,” he stated.
The District Chief Executive for Amansie Central, Hon. Emmanuel Obeng Agyeman, also applauded the UK Government for the intervention, describing the facilities as a major boost to Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining and illegal logging activities within forest reserves.
According to him, Ghana’s forests continue to face severe threats from illegal mining operators and illegal lumbering activities, which are destroying biodiversity, water bodies, wildlife habitats, and the overall ecosystem.
He stressed that the destruction of forests poses serious risks to environmental sustainability, livelihoods, rainfall patterns, and the future survival of many communities.
“Fighting to conserve our forests is a major problem here in Ghana,” he stated. “Apart from illegal lumbering, we are now also battling illegal mining activities in the forests, which continue to destroy biodiversity and the ecosystem.”
Hon. Emmanuel Obeng Agyeman further commended the United Kingdom for providing infrastructure that would improve the working conditions of forestry officers and strengthen surveillance and enforcement activities within the forest reserves.
He added that the initiative demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Ghana in safeguarding its natural resources for future generations.
The DCE also urged users of the facilities to adopt a strong maintenance culture to ensure the sustainability and longevity of the infrastructure.
The inauguration ceremony brought together government officials, traditional leaders, forestry officers led by Board Chairman Isaac Essien, development partners, security agencies, and environmental stakeholders, all united in the collective effort to strengthen forest governance and protect Ghana’s natural heritage.
The newly commissioned camps are expected to enhance operational efficiency within the Oda River Forest Reserve and reinforce Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and illegal logging activities nationwide.
