Frank Afriyie, Member of Parliament for Afadzato South, has made a passionate appeal to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to extend the same level of financial attention and “bailout” resources currently directed at galamsey hit zones to communities that have voluntarily preserved their forest cover.
Contributing to a statement by the sector Minister, Emmanuel Armah Buah on the International Day of the Forest, the lawmaker argued that while reclaiming degraded lands is vital, the state must not overlook those who have successfully protected their ecological integrity.
He pointed to the people of Afadzato South, home to the nation’s highest peaks as a model of environmental stewardship, noting that their youth deserve the same level of government intervention and support traditionally reserved for areas requiring reclamation.
Afriyie expressed concern that current government focus often prioritizes the “headache” areas where illegal mining has devastated the landscape. He urged the Minister to visit Afadzato South to see the results of voluntary conservation.
”Part of the attention being given to galamsey areas in an attempt to reclaim land should also be directed to those of us who are not giving you a headache,” he remarked. “Our youth also need the incentives and attention being provided elsewhere as a reward for keeping our forest cover intact.”
The MP highlighted the “symbiotic relationship” between humans and forests, noting that ecological health is at the heart of food and medicinal security. He warned that if the environment is decimated, it will eventually “bounce back and fight” several times over.
While commending the progress made in reclaiming nine previously off-limit forest covers and noting the incremental recovery of water bodies, he maintained that the fight is far from over. He welcomed the Minister’s “Tree for Life” program, which aims to plant 30 million seedlings this year, as a crucial step toward restoring the nation’s green canopy.
A significant portion of the MP’s submission focused on the failure of local authorities in galamsey hubs. He labeled the persistence of illegal mining under the watch of local chiefs and security heads as “inexcusable.”
Frank Afriyie proposed that the National House of Chiefs implement specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for traditional leaders, holding them directly responsible for environmental crimes within their jurisdictions.
He also issued a stern reminder to rural district police commanders, stating that preventing environmental destruction is a “basic responsibility” that must be fulfilled to justify their positions.
Story by: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
