The Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has renewed its call for government to declare a State of Environmental Emergency within the Atewa Landscape and commit resources towards the establishment of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a National Park.
In a statement issued to mark World Environment Day 2026 on Friday (5 June), celebrated under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” the group said urgent action is needed to protect one of Ghana’s most important ecological assets from continued degradation.
CCAL described the Atewa Forest as a critical biodiversity hotspot and a vital source of the Densu, Ayensu and Birim rivers, which provide water and other ecosystem services to millions of Ghanaians. The group stressed that protecting the forest is a national and global responsibility due to its environmental significance.
The organization welcomed recent engagements involving the European Union Ambassador, the World Bank, the Forestry Commission, traditional authorities and local stakeholders under the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, noting that such initiatives support forest conservation, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
However, CCAL argued that these interventions must be complemented by stronger policy commitments to ensure the long-term protection of the Atewa Landscape.
The group recalled that on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, it submitted a petition to Parliament’s Select Committee on Petitions calling for a State of Environmental Emergency to be declared in the landscape and for steps to be expedited towards the creation of the Atewa National Park.
CCAL appealed to the committee to fast-track consideration of the petition, arguing that the environmental, social and economic benefits of protecting Atewa far outweigh the costs of continued degradation.
The group also called for stronger sustainable minerals governance across the country, saying mineral resource development should be guided by environmental sustainability, transparency, accountability and respect for affected communities.
Additionally, CCAL urged the government to protect the Densu, Ayensu and Birim river systems through large-scale land reclamation, afforestation and reforestation programmes, while expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthening community participation in environmental conservation efforts.
According to the group, the future of Atewa is closely linked to Ghana’s environmental sustainability, making urgent action necessary to preserve the forest, biodiversity and water resources for future generations.
