KMA forestry coordinator blames leaders for Ghana's forest devastation, urges urgent action
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Bannor Duodu, the Forestry Coordinator for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly KMA, has accused politicians and traditional leaders of complicity in the destruction of Ghana's forest reserves due to illegal mining. He called on President John Dramani Mahama and traditional rulers to form an alliance to stop illegal mining before the country's natural resources are permanently damaged. Duodu made these comments during a tree-planting exercise at Kumasi Wesley Girls' Senior High School, organized by Ecobank Ghana and the Forestry Commission. He argued that leaders are responsible for the ecological crisis as they are the constitutional and traditional custodians of Ghana's lands and forest reserves, stating that illegal miners seek permission from chiefs and local political actors. Duodu appealed to President Mahama to implement strict state-level measures to end illegal mining in forest reserves. Mrs. Nadia Osei Antwi, Branch Manager for KNUST Ecobank, also spoke at the event, expressing concern about humanity's negligence towards the ecosystem and urging Ghanaians to make tree planting a personal responsibility. Awuraba Love Amankwa Baffour Awuah, Headmistress of Kumasi Wesley Girls' Senior High School, thanked the partners and assured them that the school would protect the newly planted trees.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghana's Parliament has passed the Community Service Bill, introducing community service as a sentencing option for individuals convicted of minor, non-violent offenses. This legislation allows courts to impose supervised community-based work instead of short-term prison sentences for qualifying offenders. The measure aims to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities and reduce the financial burden of housing inmates. Lawmakers indicate the bill emphasizes rehabilitation by enabling offenders to contribute to their communities. Once enacted, judges can order eligible offenders to perform structured community service under official supervision, promoting accountability and social reintegration. This law is part of broader reforms to strengthen Ghana's justice system through restorative sentencing approaches while ensuring public safety.
A Ghana Prisons Service officer, during a crime prevention education session for the Methodist Youth Fellowship at the Dome Circuit, stated that Ghanaian law recognizes only sexual intimacy between a man and a woman. The officer explained that any sexual act outside this definition constitutes "unnatural carnal knowledge" under the law. This statement, captured in a video circulating online, has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting the interpretation and others seeking further legal clarification. The Ghana Prisons Service has not yet commented on the viral video. Ghana's criminal laws include provisions on "unnatural carnal knowledge," a topic central to ongoing national debates concerning sexuality, human rights, and proposed LGBTQ+ legislation.
Must ReadGhana's Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced that Cabinet has decided to prioritize the completion of 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects nationwide. This decision is part of a phased implementation strategy aimed at the prudent use of public resources and accelerating critical healthcare infrastructure delivery. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Akandoh explained that facilities would be prioritized based on their completion level, the healthcare needs of communities, and regional distribution, ensuring each region receives at least one completed hospital. He stated that the government would invest in the first 35 districts or facilities, prioritizing those over 80% complete. This review ensures that investments under Agenda 111 provide meaningful benefits to Ghanaians. Akandoh also mentioned plans to deepen collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana to improve healthcare access and strengthen the health system. Agenda 111 was introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party administration under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to address healthcare infrastructure gaps by constructing hospitals in districts lacking such facilities, as well as regional and specialized hospitals.