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Ghana losing its rainforest faster than any other country in the world

Ghana’s rainforest is being lost at an alarming rate, according to a new report about the state of forests worldwide.

Global Forest Watch (GFW) used updated remote sensing and satellite data from the University of Maryland and estimates that there was a 60% increase in Ghana’s primary rainforest loss in 2018 compared to 2017, the highest in the world.

While clearing for cocoa farming is a leading cause of deforestation, mining is the biggest threat. Illegal small scale mining, known locally as “galamsey”, has caused massive environmental damages.

May 2, 2019

References:

• https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2019/May-2nd/ghana-losing-rainforest-faster-than-any-other-country-in-the-world.php
• https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/04/world-lost-belgium-sized-area-primary-rainforests-last-year
• https://citinewsroom.com/2019/05/01/ghana-records-alarming-60-rise-in-forest-loss-report/
• https://qz.com/africa/1609397/rainforest-in-ghana-dr-congo-brazil-colombia-rapidly-depleting/
• https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghana-is-losing-its-rainforest-faster-than-any-other-country-in-the-world-744055
• https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2019/March-13th/galamsey-fight-higher-authority-aid-culprits-return-sir-john.php
• https://3news.com/investigate-sir-john-for-galamsey-allegations-forest-watch-ghana/
• https://starrfm.com.gh/2019/07/illegal-mining-akufo-addo-petitioned-over-npp-bigwigs-involvement
• https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/llegal-mining-Akufo-Addo-petitioned-over-NPP-bigwigs-involvement-763891
• http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2019/July-30th/rosewood-export-npp-members-getting-permits-despite-ban-eia-report.php
• http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2020/january-16th/galamsey-back-in-full-swing-as-illegal-miners-ravage-oda-river-forest-reserve.php
• https://citinewsroom.com/2020/02/sissala-east-angry-youth-lock-up-forestry-commission-office-over-rosewood-felling