The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has warned that Ghana’s health and environmental future are under serious threat due to the destruction of forest reserves by illegal mining.

Speaking at the 2026 World Wildlife Day celebration in the Central Region under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods,” the Minister urged Ghanaians to take urgent steps to protect the country’s forests.

He stressed that the continued degradation of forest ecosystems poses a direct risk to public health, revealing that more than 1,000 traditional medicinal plants have already been lost as a result of illegal mining activities.

According to him, the Ministry is intensifying measures to safeguard remaining forest reserves and has outlined plans to plant over 30,000 trees this year as part of restoration efforts.

Hon. Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, called on citizens to embrace the national “One Child, One Tree” policy, encouraging students across the country to plant trees to replace those destroyed.

He cautioned that continued loss of forests and wildlife could have dire consequences for livelihoods, climate stability and healthcare delivery, reaffirming President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s lands, water bodies and forest resources.

Chief Executive Officer of the Wildlife Division, Joseph Boakye, pledged closer collaboration with the government and the Forestry Commission to preserve forest reserves amid growing environmental destruction.

He called for an end to illegal mining activities and urged Ghanaians to appreciate and preserve traditional medicine, which depends heavily on the country’s biodiversity.

Adding his voice, the Gyasehene of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Siaw Panyin III, appealed to citizens to safeguard natural resources for future generations.

He lamented the destruction of virgin forests and ornamental plants, warning that human survival ultimately depends on trees and a healthy environment.