We introduce ourselves as the Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA) Management Board
Members- the apex decision-making body of the governance structures developed under
the premier emission reductions programme dubbed the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+
Programme (GCFRP). We represent local communities, women, youth, marginalized and
vulnerable groups covering five regions in Ghana: Western North, Ahafo, Ashanti, Central
and Eastern regions.
Our attention has been drawn to a recent publication sponsored by AROCHA Ghana
demanding the removal of Ghana as Co-Chair of the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership
(FCLP) citing the widespread devastation caused by illegal mining activities (galamsey)
as the reason.
We categorically without reservation state that, the AROCHA press release does not
represent the interest of local communities residing in these regions and are part of the
Ghana REDD+ programme. For the records, Ghana has been a major pillar and a global
leader in the global efforts of reducing atmospheric emissions evidenced by the Emission
Reductions of 972,465 tonnes of CO2 in 2019 and 3,379,161 tonnes of CO2 in
2020/2021. Without any gainsay, 69% of these benefits come to support local
communities in various ways. We do not think that removing Ghana from the FCLP will
address the challenge of Galamsey. We rather see the opportunity it gives to Ghana to
leverage such spaces in addressing environmental challenges such as galamsey. In as
much as we agree with AROCHA that something needs to b
e done urgently about the
galamsey menace, it does not mean sponsoring the efforts of depriving Ghana and its
people particularly, local communities the golden opportunity to harness climate
investments through such a high-level political platform. The question to ask is which
country does not have their peculiar challenges that they are dealing with? Which country
is that?
In the months ahead, we plan to pursue community driven actions to create the needed
momentum and support in addressing galamsey. We intend to work with all and sundry
including Traditional Authorities, NGOs/CSOs, religious organizations and institutions,
academia and political parties to fashion out pragmatic ways of addressing the galamsey
menace.
With these said, we welcome AROCHA and the likes to join hands in fighting galamsey
for the benefit of the present generation and posterity.
Long live Ghana, long live REDD+
