Africa-Press – Ghana. 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 in Accra on Thursday said his demand reflected on growing public concerns about environmental governance, transparency, and the responsible use of public funds in the fight against climate change.
Mr Kansangbata, emphasized that while the afforestation initiative was launched with noble intentions, there was increasing evidence that it might have become a conduit for financial mismanagement rather than a driver of environmental restoration.
“The National Afforestation Project, initiated under the leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, was envisioned as a bold step toward reversing deforestation, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable livelihoods”.
Mr Kansangbata however questioned the project’s actual impact and called for a serious reassessment of its implementation and outcomes.
“I strongly urge the current government to embark on a serious audit into the afforestation project.
“There is an urgent need to assess not just how many trees were planted, but also how many actually survived. Without this accountability, we risk allowing cleverly disguised schemes to drain national resources at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian.”
He said environmentalists and civil society actors had pointed to discrepancies in reported figures, limited monitoring, and poor survival rates of planted trees, which must be investigated to determine whether the project had 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.
“This is not just about numbers on paper. It’s about our forests, our water bodies, our air quality and ultimately, our future,” he said.
He said the call for an audit of the National Afforestation Project was not just about financial mismanagement but directly into Ghana’s broader climate change agenda and the urgent need to create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
“As the country grapples with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and land degradation, reforestation and afforestation efforts are not merely environmental projects; they are lifelines in the fight against climate change”.
Mr Kansangbata said a well-managed afforestation programme had the potential to create thousands of green jobs for young people in nursery operations, tree planting, monitoring, and forest maintenance.
“Such opportunities can empower the youth, especially in rural areas, while simultaneously building ecological resilience. When mismanaged, however, these initiatives not only fail to deliver on environmental goals but also rob the next generation of jobs and a liveable planet. The government can restore confidence, attract international support for climate action, and pave the way for inclusive green growth by auditing and revitalizing the afforestation programme”.
He added that afforestation projects should not only aim to plant trees, but must ensure their nurturing and survival.
“Planting a tree is not enough. The question is: are we growing forests, or are we 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 were key to long-term sustainability.
“True development must be rooted in inclusion and transparency.
“The people who live closest to these forests should be part of the solution which is not left in the dark.”
He called on the current administration to uphold environmental accountability and set a new standard in governance. “Mr. President, the people of Ghana are watching. We need bold actions that will protect our environment, safeguard public funds, and restore public trust. Let us not waste this opportunity to do what is right for today and for generations to come.”
Source: Ghana News Agency
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