Atewa Forest
Ghana risks facing sanctions from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) over delays in submitting its Fifth National Report.
The message from the Secretariat is clear: “Submit on time or be left out.” The stern warning has been issued to countries required to submit their Fifth National Reports or face possible consequences.
In a reminder to representatives of parties to the Convention, the Secretariat emphasised the deadline for submission and the implications of failing to meet it.
It further warned that only reports submitted on or before 28 February 2026 will be considered in the Protocol review processes leading to the 12th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 12).
As of 19 February 2026, only 24 countries had submitted their Fifth National Reports through the Biosafety Clearing-House.
Countries that have already submitted their reports include Spain (the first to publish), Cameroon (second), Indonesia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, Malawi, Lesotho, Vanuatu, Austria, and Botswana.
Ghana is reported to have validated its report for submission but is yet to formally submit it.
By Kojo Nkansah
