Deforestation Threatens Ghana’s Forest Reserves and Biodiversity
Ghana’s tropical forests, remnants of the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot, are shrinking rapidly due to human encroachment, fires, and agricultural expansion. These primary forests, home to diverse wildlife including primates, elephants, and butterflies, are now mostly confined to 12 protected reserves and Bia National Park in the southwestern part of the country.
Satellite images from Landsat 4 and Landsat 9 show significant forest loss between 1989 and 2023. While the reserves were dark green in 1989, representing lush canopies, the 2023 imagery reveals fragmented and degraded forests surrounded by farmlands. Researchers noted a worrying acceleration in forest degradation between 2015 and 2019, following a prolonged drought during the 2016 El Niño event that fueled widespread fires.
Human activities have intensified the decline. In Bonsam Bepo Reserve, south of Goaso, logging and mining operations have caused severe damage, while cocoa farming has consumed vast forest areas in reserves like Krokosua. Ghana and Côte D’Ivoire together produce about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa, driving deforestation in the region.
Efforts to address this crisis are underway. A United Nations 2024 report highlights the Forest Data Partnership, which uses satellite data to help Ghanaians monitor deforestation linked to commodity production. Initiatives like the NASA-USAID SERVIR program are also helping develop sustainable agricultural practices to reduce forest loss.
Despite these efforts, researchers like Michael Wimberly of the University of Oklahoma warn that Ghana’s forests continue to face mounting threats. Through remote sensing tools and interactive mapping, they aim to provide updated insights into the health of these critical ecosystems, ensuring targeted conservation strategies to safeguard Ghana’s remaining forests.