The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Sulemana Yusif, has launched Ghana’s Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) initiative at the National Landscape Forum, emphasizing the need for sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
The event, held at the Marriott Hotel from April 2–4, 2025, brought together key stakeholders from the government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to deliberate on solutions for safeguarding Ghana’s environment. Mr. Yusif, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, stressed that Ghana’s forests, minerals, and water bodies face severe threats from deforestation, pollution, and illegal mining. He outlined the government’s five-pronged strategy, which includes decentralizing small-scale mining licensing, strengthening law enforcement, engaging stakeholders, providing alternative livelihoods, and reclaiming degraded lands.
A key highlight of the forum was the introduction of Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), an approach designed to systematically measure the value of Ghana’s natural resources and integrate them into national economic planning.
This initiative, supported by the World Bank and other development partners, aims to provide accurate data on the depletion and use of natural assets—such as forests, minerals, and water bodies—ensuring that economic decisions reflect the true cost of resource exploitation.
“With NCA, Ghana will have a more scientific basis for policy-making, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental sustainability,” Hon. Yusif stated. He emphasized that by quantifying natural assets, policymakers can better assess trade-offs, promote responsible investments, and enhance conservation efforts.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted two major interventions aligned with this agenda: The Blue Water Initiative, which trains 2,000 community vanguards to protect water bodies, and The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, aimed at restoring degraded landscapes.
Hon. Yusif called on stakeholders to actively contribute to shaping policies that integrate environmental considerations into Ghana’s development strategy. “We must move beyond rhetoric and commit to actionable solutions that ensure our natural resources benefit both present and future generations,” he urged.
The National Landscape Forum continues over the next three days, serving as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaborative action in managing Ghana’s natural resources sustainably.
The Deputy Minister launched together with the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Patrick Nimo, the Deputy CEO for General Services, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Jacob Anakwari, a World Bank Representative, Ms. Naila Ahmed, and the Ag. CEO of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown.
