"Ghana must prioritize natural capital accounting for sustainable development" – EPA Deputy Chief Executive

The Deputy Chief Executive for General Services at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Dr. Jacob Anankware, has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to adopt Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) as a key tool for sustainable environmental and economic development.

Speaking at the National Landscape Forum held in Accra, Dr. Anankware emphasized that Ghana’s economy is largely dependent on natural resources, making it imperative to integrate environmental sustainability into national decision-making.

“Over 50% of Ghana’s population derives their livelihoods directly from natural capital—agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and mining. However, unsustainable practices, deforestation, and land degradation are threatening these essential resources,” Dr. Anankware noted.

He called for quality, reliable, and timely data to guide policies aimed at preserving Ghana’s natural assets.

Dr. Anankware explained that Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) provides a scientific and policy-relevant approach to measuring the economic value of ecosystem services, helping decision-makers balance development with conservation.

"It will serve as a corrective lens, ensuring that we integrate the true value of our forests, rivers, and land into policy at the national, sectoral, and district levels,” he stated.

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), which underpins NCA, enables Ghana to systematically track changes in its ecosystems and quantify the economic benefits derived from them. According to Dr. Anankware, the application of NCA will facilitate:

Sustainable land-use planning to prevent deforestation and land degradation.

Evidence-based decision-making to align infrastructure development with environmental conservation.

Climate resilience strategies by assessing the impact of climate change on Ghana’s natural resources.

Public and private sector engagement in sustainable investment projects.

Dr. Anankware highlighted that while Ghana has made significant strides in environmental policy, the challenge lies in implementation.

"We have taken the first step by compiling natural capital accounts. Now, we must apply these insights to restore degraded landscapes, promote nature-positive economic models, and align both public and private sector actions toward sustainability,” he urged.

Dr. Anankware reiterated the EPA’s commitment to combating illegal mining, deforestation, and pollution, which continue to threaten Ghana’s biodiversity.

He commended government initiatives such as the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative and the Blue Water Initiative, but stressed that a data-driven approach through NCA would enhance enforcement and policymaking.

“Illegal mining and deforestation have had devastating effects on our water bodies and land. By incorporating Natural Capital Accounting into governance, we can quantify these losses and develop strategies to mitigate them,” he explained.

Dr. Anankware called on government agencies, civil society, academia, and development partners to collaborate in advancing Ghana’s environmental sustainability agenda.

He also expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability, which has supported Ghana in developing its natural capital accounts.

“As a nation, we cannot afford to ignore the warning signs. Protecting our natural heritage is not just an environmental duty; it is an economic necessity,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Sulemana Yusif, underscored the government’s determination to combat deforestation, land degradation, and illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey.’

He said “Ghana’s forests, minerals, and water bodies are under siege. Illegal mining has reached crisis levels, stripping our land of biodiversity, poisoning our rivers, and endangering public health,”.

Hon. Yusif emphasized that the forum, themed “Natural Resources Management and Forest Economy for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth,” is timely as environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change threaten not only Ghana’s ecosystems but also the livelihoods of its citizens.

He outlined a five-pronged strategy adopted by the Ministry to combat these challenges:

• Reforming the small-scale mining licensing regime to enhance transparency.

• Strengthening law enforcement efforts, resulting in the reclamation of seven out of nine forest reserves previously seized by illegal miners.

• Collaborating with communities, traditional leaders, and civil society to foster collective responsibility.

• Providing alternative livelihoods for affected communities to ensure economic resilience.

• Reclaiming and reforesting degraded lands to restore lost ecosystems.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted two key initiatives launched under the government’s 120-day social contract:

• The Blue Water Initiative – A collaboration with the Ghana Navy to train 2,000 community vanguards to protect water bodies, with the first 400 recruits currently undergoing training.

• The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative – A nationwide afforestation project launched on March 21 to restore mined-out and degraded landscapes.

Hon. Yusif expressed gratitude to the World Bank and other development partners for their continuous support in Ghana’s natural resource sector.

He urged all participants to actively engage in discussions and generate bold, practical recommendations that will drive meaningful change.

“As we deliberate over the next three days, let us leave with a renewed commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage,” he concluded.

On his part, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Partick Nimoh, who represented his Minister, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, said Ghana is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Global Biodiversity Framework which provides a strategic roadmap for halting biodiversity loss and ensuring ecosystem restoration.

He asserted that by aligning our national efforts with this global agenda, the Ministry reaffirm it's dedication to protecting nature while fostering economic growth.

He hoped that the discussion being engaged in over the next three days will shape the policies and actions that determine the future of Ghana's natural landscape.

The National Landscape Forum is expected to yield actionable strategies for sustainable environmental management, reinforcing Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change.

The Chief Executive of Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, said, inline with the Commission’s mandates to sustainably manage, protect and develop Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources, the Commission is dedicated to ensuring the protection of the natural resources inspite of the dangers its faced.

Dr. Brown indicated that although Ghana has been a global fore- runner in the implementation of the REDD+ program initiative for reducing carbon emissions,however, illegal mining negatively impacted the nations forest and water reserves.

Mr. Brown, reiterated the need for adequate law enforcement that will shift the thinking of illegal miners to focus to preserving Ghana’s natural resources for a better country.

Taking her turn, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah (FGIP), Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has emphasized the urgent need for sustainable natural resource management as Ghana faces mounting environmental and economic challenges.

She highlighted alarming trends in land degradation and deforestation, stressing that Ghana’s economic growth must not come at the expense of its natural resources.

“Our forests, fertile lands, and water bodies have long supported agriculture, mining, and energy production, providing livelihoods for millions"

"However, poor land management practices are costing the nation over $500 million annually, with deforestation losses reaching approximately $400 million per year,” she stated, citing a 2023 World Bank report.

Dr. Amoah noted that Ghana’s renewable natural capital per capita declined by 48% between 1995 and 2020, underscoring an unsustainable trajectory that threatens key sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.

She called for immediate action from all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, academia, and development partners, to reverse this trend.

A major highlight of the forum was the official launch of Ghana’s Natural Capital Accounts (NCA), a tool developed in collaboration with the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability.

The NCA will enable Ghana to track ecosystem extent, land use, and services using the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), providing critical data for informed policymaking.

“The success of Ghana’s landscape restoration and sustainability agenda hinges on our collective leadership, commitment, and shared vision,” Dr. Amoah stated.

She commended ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), for spearheading initiatives such as the Ghana Sustainable Land and Water Management Project, the Forest Investment Program, and the REDD+ Cocoa Forest Emission Reductions Programme.

Reaffirming the NDPC’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Dr. Amoah stressed that nature is not a luxury but the foundation of Ghana’s prosperity.

She urged stakeholders to use the forum as a platform for decisive action, ensuring that Ghana’s natural resources are protected for future generations.

On her part, the Program Lead at the World Bank Ghana Office, Madam Naila Ahmed called on government to integrate the landscape management into its strategy to promote inclusive and sustainable growth of forest reserves.

According to her 35% to 40% jobs in Ghana are centered on agriculture but the destruction of the natural resources makes it difficult for the sustainability of such jobs.

Madam Ahmed however expressed optimism for Ghana’s Natural Resources explaining that the Forum will explore how sustainable natural resource management can drive inclusive economic growth for Ghana as it faces increasing environmental challenges.

“This forum will highlight the critical role of forests, landscapes, and ecosystems in shaping the country’s future”, the World Band Program Lead said.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith