REDD+ communities rejects A Rocha's call for Ghana to be removed as Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership co-chair

The management board members of the Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA), the apex decision-making body of the governance structures developed under the premier emission reductions programme, dubbed the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP), has rejected a proposal by A Rocha to remove Ghana as co-chair of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP).

At the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) in Egypt, world leaders launched the FCLP, and the Ghana government was given the position of co-chair alongside the US government.

According to A Rocha, Ghana accepting the position of FCLP co-chair meant that the President and his government were ready to lead the world in sustainable forest management, but they have done the opposite. 

Although Ghana’s co-chair position ends in November, A Rocha wants Ghana stripped of the position with immediate effect.

But A Rocha’s proposal has been rejected by the Group with an argument that AROCHA’s position does not represent the interest of local communities who are residing and are part of and have benefited greatly from the Ghana REDD+ Programme in Ghana.  

In a press statement, the Group said, “We represent local communities, women, youth, marginalized and vulnerable groups covering five regions in Ghana: Western North, Ahafo, Ashanti, Central and Eastern regions. Our attention has been drawn to a recent publication sponsored by AROCHA Ghana demanding the removal of Ghana as Co-Chair of the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) citing the widespread devastation caused by illegal mining activities (galamsey) as the reason.

“We categorically without reservation, state that, the press release by AROCHA does not represent the interest of local communities residing in these regions and are part of the Ghana REDD+ programme.”

“For the records, Ghana has been a major pillar and a global leader in the global efforts of reducing atmospheric emissions evidenced by the Emission Reductions of 972,465 tonnes of CO2 in 2019 and 3,379,161 tonnes of CO2 in 2020/2021.”

The statement noted, “Without any gainsay, 69% of these benefits come to support local communities in various ways. We do not think that removing Ghana from the FCLP will address the challenge of galamsey. We rather see the opportunity it gives to Ghana to leverage such spaces in addressing environmental challenges such as galamsey”.

“In as much as we agree with AROCHA that something needs to be done urgently about the galamsey menace, it does not mean sponsoring the efforts of depriving Ghana and its people particularly, local communities the golden opportunity to harness climate investments through such a high-level political platform.”

According to the statement the question to ask is which country does not have their peculiar challenges that they are dealing with? Which country is that? In the months ahead, “we plan to pursue community driven actions to create the needed momentum and support in addressing galamsey.”

It added that “We intend to work with all and sundry including Traditional Authorities, NGOs/CSOs, religious organisations and institutions, academia and political parties to fashion out pragmatic ways of addressing the galamsey menace”.

“With these said, we welcome AROCHA and the likes to join hands in fighting galamsey for the benefit of the present generation and posterity. Long live Ghana, long live REDD+.