5 CSOs threaten legal action against government over illegal forest conversion

Five civil society organizations in Ghana have given notice of their intent to take legal action against the government over its decisions to convert protected forest areas into logging and mining concessions.

In a press statement dated May 16, the groups - A Rocha Ghana, Tropenbos Ghana, Civic Response, Nature and Development Foundation, and EcoCare Ghana - accused the government of breaching due process and legal stipulations in awarding Timber Utilization Contracts within Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs).

"Recent developments resulting from the active actions of the Government of Ghana, which has led to unprecedented risk to convert Ghana's protected forests such as Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) into logging and mining areas have compelled us to issue a formal notice of intent to pursue civil action against the Government of Ghana," the statement said in part.

The CSOs specifically flagged concessions granted inside the Subri River Forest Reserve and Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve without adherence to competitive bidding processes or parliamentary ratification, as required by law.

"We find this as a breach of due process and legal stipulations, therefore prompting the issuance of this notice of intent to commence legal proceedings should the Government fail to annul the aforementioned contracts," the groups warned.

The statement signed by Daryl Bosu from A Rocha Ghana stressed "While acknowledging the Government's developmental objectives and the imperative need to utilize natural resources for national progress, we are of the conviction that such utilization must strictly adhere to legal frameworks."

The notice comes as Ghana faces mounting pressure over deforestation and threats to biodiversity hotspots.

The CSOs urged the government to "reconsider its actions and engage constructively in resolving this matter in accordance with the rule of law and best practices in natural resource management."

Failure to comply would see the groups pursue civil action to restrain ministers from bypassing competitive bidding processes and parliamentary approval when allocating forest concessions in protected areas.