Ghana’s forest reserves dwindling: Satellite data highlights alarming decline

Ghana's forest reserves, remnants of the Upper Guinean forest in West Africa, face ongoing degradation despite their status as biodiversity hotspots.

Satellite imagery from 1989 to 2023 reveals a shrinking forest canopy across 12 reserves and Bia National Park in the Bia-Goaso district.

These forests, home to primates, elephants, and butterflies, are vital for biodiversity but are increasingly threatened by human encroachment, logging, mining, cocoa farming, and climate-induced fires.

Recent studies using Landsat data show an alarming acceleration of forest loss between 2015 and 2019, with reserves like Bonsam Bepo and Krokosua significantly affected.

Efforts like the Forest Data Partnership and NASA-USAID initiatives aim to leverage remote sensing to combat deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture.

However, challenges remain in preserving these critical ecosystems.