The three-day forum (April 2-4) brought together the finest brains in natural resource management sector, with key stakeholders drawn from the Environmental Protection Authority, National Development Planning Commission, Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana Statistical Service, development partners and civil society organisations.

The event was jointly organised by the ministries of Lands and Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Technology, with support from the World Bank on the theme: "Natural Resource Management and Forest Economy for Inclusive Growth."
It was also to share knowledge and best practices as well as identify opportunities and forge actionable solutions towards preserving the country's ecosystem.

Ghana's Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) framework report was unveiled during the opening session of the forum.

The NCA report provides detailed information about the country's ecosystem including land map accounts, physical location of economic activities and environmental processes needed for resource management.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Yusif Sulemana, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said, as a country, it was imperative to collectively work towards ensuring the sustainable management of the natural resources, hence, the gathering of the stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and expertise.

"Therefore, I urge you all to participate keenly and generate bold, practical recommendations to amplify our positive impact on our nation's natural resources.

"May our deliberations over the next three days be fruitful, and may we leave with a renewed commitment to safeguarding Ghana's natural heritage," he stated.

The Deputy Minister observed that Ghana's forests, minerals, and water bodies were under siege, with issues of deforestation, degradation, water pollution, and climate change threatening the ecosystems and livelihoods.

"Illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), in particular, has reached crisis levels, stripping our land of biodiversity, poisoning our rivers, and endangering public health. We are seeing communities where once-lush forests have been reduced to barren pits, and rivers that once provided drinking water now ran brown with toxic sediments.

"The devastation is not just environmental-it is a blow to our food security and well-being," he pointed out.

On measures to reverse the trend, the Deputy Minister said since assuming office under the leadership of Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Ministry had prioritised a five-pronged strategy to combat those crises.

They included reforming the small-scale mining licensing regime, decentralising the process to enhance transparency, and strengthening law enforcement-working with the Military.

"We've reclaimed seven of nine forest reserves seized by illegal miners. From February to March 2025 alone, we confiscated over a100 excavators and other mining equipment, and have arrested over 70 offenders," he added.
He said it had been enhancing stakeholder engagement, collaborating with communities, traditional leaders, and civil society to foster collective ownership of the galamsey fight.

"Providing alternative livelihoods to affected communities, ensuring economic resilience beyond mining.

"Reclaiming and reforesting degraded lands, and restoring what has been lost," he stated.
Aligned with the President's 120-day social contract with the good people of Ghana, he said, the Ministry had also launched two critical programmes, namely:

"The Blue Water Initiative: In partnership with the Ghana Navy, we're training 2,000 community vanguards to protect our water bodies. The first 400 recruits are already undergoing intensive training.

"Secondly, the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative: Launched in Nkawie on International Day of Forests on March 21, would focus on restoring degraded landscapes, particularly mined-out areas," he noted.

"These interventions are expected to complement other existing landscape projects and programmes. While we have made significant strides, the road ahead demands broader collaboration," Mr Sulemana said.

The Deputy Minister, on behalf of the sector minister, expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its immense support to Ghana's natural resources and environment sector, noting that without its partnership, progress would be far more difficult.