Two organisations are intensifying efforts to secure stronger protection for Ghana's Atewa Forest, according to a report by Graphic Online published on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. The groups are promoting the forest's conservation as part of a broader push to safeguard the country's natural resources.
The Atewa Forest, a key water catchment area in Ghana, faces multiple environmental threats. Graphic Online's report links the protection drive to wider concerns about illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, which has been polluting rivers and damaging forested land. A separate report from Modern Ghana quotes a scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) warning that Ghana could eventually be forced to import water if galamsey pollution continues unchecked.
The issue has drawn attention from multiple quarters. GhanaWeb reports that Kwame Jantuah, a public commentator, has called for a three-year ban on all forms of mining to combat galamsey. Meanwhile, News Ghana has reported that toxic mining waste is flowing into Ghana's newly created marine reserve, and the Ghanaian Times has detailed how galamsey is opening up forests to illegal timber exploitation.
The two organisations promoting Atewa's protection are acting against this backdrop of mounting environmental pressure. Their campaign appears focused on raising awareness and building support for conserving the forest, which is vital for water supply and biodiversity.
What to watch next is whether the campaign gains traction with policymakers, particularly amid growing calls for stricter mining regulations and enforcement. The outcome could determine whether Atewa Forest receives formal, lasting protection or remains vulnerable to the pressures of illegal mining and logging.
