A Rocha Ghana Engages Okyeman Traditional Council on the Future of Atewa Forest
A Rocha Ghana on September 22, 2026, engaged the Okyeman Traditional Council to discuss the current state of the Atewa Forest Reserve, with particular attention to the increasing encroachment of illegal mining activities, the reported influx of foreign nationals, the scale of environmental destruction, the challenges facing the Forestry Commission, and the economic and green opportunities the forest presents.
The discussion highlighted growing pressure on the Atewa Forest Reserve as illegal mining continues to expand into the forest. Participants also drew attention to the limited resources available to the Forestry Commission to effectively protect and manage the reserve and respond to the scale of the threat.
Beyond its ecological importance, the engagement explored the significant economic potential of the forest, including opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, conservation-based enterprises and other green economic activities that could benefit surrounding communities and the wider Okyeman area.
The concerns expressed by the traditional authorities were particularly strong. Some chiefs openly expressed their disappointment and sense of helplessness over the extent to which illegal mining has affected the forest.
The Okyehene, Osagyefuo Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin, expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued failure of efforts to effectively combat illegal mining in the forest. He pointed to the scale of encroachment, the apparent disregard for established laws and regulations, and the limited capacity of the Forestry Commission to respond effectively because of inadequate resources.
He emphasised that, “Ghana is governed by the rule of law and that where laws are disregarded, the consequences extend beyond human institutions to the natural environment.
“The continued destruction of the Atewa Forest represents a serious violation of the responsibility to protect the country’s natural heritage”.- Okyehene
The Okyehene also expressed frustration over his unsuccessful attempts to engage the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources over the past eight months on the challenges confronting the forest. He questioned how traditional authorities can effectively contribute to protecting their lands when they have limited influence over decisions and activities taking place within forest reserves.
A particularly serious concern raised during the engagement was the presence and activities of foreign nationals reportedly involved in illegal mining within the forest. The Okyehene expressed outrage over reports of Forestry Commission personnel being held hostage and harmed while performing their official duties. He stressed that such incidents go beyond an environmental concern and raise broader questions about national security and the ability of state institutions to exercise authority within protected areas.
“When Public officials are held hostage and harmed in the course of discharging their duties by foreign nationals, such incidents go beyond environmental issues to National security Crisis.” -Okyehene
The engagement also brought into focus the concerns of traditional authorities as alodial custodians of the land. The Okyehene expressed dissatisfaction with the limited authority available to traditional institutions to influence activities within their traditional areas, particularly where activities in forest reserves have direct implications for land, communities, livelihoods and natural resources under their traditional jurisdiction.
The Okyehene welcomed and appreciated A Rocha Ghana’s efforts to draw attention to the escalating situation and expressed support for a partnership to advocate for the long-term protection of Atewa Forest as a national park. He affirmed his commitment to securing the future of the forest and indicated his intention to engage the President to discuss possible solutions to the growing threat of illegal mining and the need for stronger measures to protect Atewa.
The engagement further sought to strengthen the partnership between A Rocha Ghana and the Okyeman Traditional Council and explore green pathways for securing the future of the Atewa Forest. It reinforced the need for decisive and coordinated action involving traditional authorities, state and non-state actors and other relevant stakeholders to protect the forest while unlocking its potential to support sustainable economic opportunities for present and future generations.
