Accra: As a way of ensuring transparency and accountability, Mr. Abu Kansangbata, a former Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, has appealed to the government to audit the National Afforestation Project. A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra indicated that his demand reflects growing public concerns about environmental governance, transparency, and the responsible use of public funds in the fight against climate change.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kansangbata emphasized that while the afforestation initiative was launched with noble intentions, there is increasing evidence that it might have become a conduit for financial mismanagement rather than a driver of environmental restoration. The National Afforestation Project was initiated under the leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, envisioned as a bold step toward reversing deforestation, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. However, Mr. Kansangbata questioned the project's actual impact and called for a serious reassessment of its implementation and outcomes.
He strongly urged the current government to embark on a serious audit into the afforestation project, emphasizing the urgent need to assess not just how many trees were planted, but also how many actually survived. Without this accountability, he warned, Ghana risks allowing cleverly disguised schemes to drain national resources at the expense of the ordinary citizen.
Mr. Kansangbata noted that environmentalists and civil society actors have pointed to discrepancies in reported figures, limited monitoring, and poor survival rates of planted trees. These issues must be investigated to determine whether the project has delivered its intended environmental benefits or simply served as an avenue for corruption. He stressed the need for an independent audit to examine every aspect of the project, from procurement of seedlings and contractor payments to field monitoring and verification mechanisms.
The call for an audit of the National Afforestation Project, Mr. Kansangbata said, is not just about financial mismanagement but directly impacts Ghana's broader climate change agenda and the urgent need to create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth. In the face of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and land degradation, reforestation and afforestation efforts are vital lifelines in combating climate change.
A well-managed afforestation program, Mr. Kansangbata argued, has the potential to create thousands of green jobs for young people in nursery operations, tree planting, monitoring, and forest maintenance. These opportunities can empower the youth, especially in rural areas, while simultaneously building ecological resilience. Mismanagement, however, could result in failure to achieve environmental goals and rob the next generation of jobs and a livable planet. By auditing and revitalizing the afforestation program, the government can restore confidence, attract international support for climate action, and pave the way for inclusive green growth.
Mr. Kansangbata added that afforestation projects should not only aim to plant trees but must ensure their nurturing and survival. He questioned whether the initiative is focused on growing forests or merely planting receipts. He also urged the government to engage local communities, environmental scientists, and forestry experts in any future evaluations, stressing that transparency and local participation are key to long-term sustainability.
In his closing remarks, he called on the current administration to uphold environmental accountability and set a new standard in governance. Mr. Kansangbata expressed that the people of Ghana are watching and need bold actions to protect the environment, safeguard public funds, and restore public trust. He urged the government not to waste the opportunity to do what is right for today and for future generations.
