Agotime-Ziope MP supports proposal to recognise ecocide as fifth international crime

The Member of Parliament for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve, has thrown his support behind a proposal to recognise ecocide as the fifth international crime under international law.

Contributing to proceedings in Parliament on Monday, March 9, 2026, the MP commended the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annor-Dompreh, for what he described as his consistent and passionate advocacy on environmental protection.

During the debate, Mr Agbeve explained that ecocide refers to the large scale destruction of ecosystems and stressed that the issue requires urgent global attention.

He noted that only 11 countries worldwide have enacted domestic laws criminalising ecocide, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo being the only African nation that currently has legislation addressing the matter.

According to him, the limited number of countries that have adopted such laws shows that environmental protection is not being treated with the seriousness it deserves across the world.

Mr Agbeve argued that although Ghana already has environmental protection laws, introducing specific legislation on ecocide would further strengthen the legal framework and serve as a stronger deterrent against actions that harm the environment.

He added that criminalising ecocide would reinforce existing environmental laws in Ghana while positioning the country as a leader in environmental protection on the African continent.

The MP also highlighted several environmental challenges facing the country, including sand winning, plastic waste pollution, illegal mining commonly referred to as galamsey, and the contamination of water bodies.

Mr Agbeve further emphasised that recognising ecocide as a crime is essential to protecting nature and preserving the environment for future generations.

“Ever since I joined Parliament, he has been very consistent in making statements on the environment. In fact, he has been consistent, persistent and passionate about statements on the environment. Ecocide is definitely a crime. By its own definition, it involves the mass destruction of the ecosystem. Unfortunately, only 11 countries have passed domestic laws on ecocide, and in Africa only one, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It shows that countries in the world are not taking environmental issues seriously. Criminalising ecocide is very critical because we already have laws that punish people who infringe on the ecosystem or the environment. But I think making a law on ecocide will further strengthen and deter people from destroying the ecosystem or the environment.”

He concluded by urging Ghana to demonstrate leadership in environmental protection by supporting the global campaign to recognise ecocide as an international crime.

“Ghana must show leadership by taking decisive steps to protect nature and support the global effort to recognise ecocide as an international crime. Protecting our environment today is a responsibility we owe to the generations yet unborn.”

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