Ghana’s Upper Guinean forests, vital for biodiversity, face significant threats from human activities, fires, and economic pressures. Satellite imagery reveals alarming forest loss and degradation, particularly accelerated since 2015. Researchers, including Michael Wimberly from the University of Oklahoma, utilized Landsat data to document these changes within protected reserves and Bia National Park, noting that primary forests—hosting diverse wildlife like elephants and primates—are diminishing even in safeguarded areas. From 2003 to 2019, forest degradation outpaced recovery, especially post-2016, when El Niño-induced drought heightened fire risks and contributed to forest loss. Mining, logging, and the expansion of cocoa farming have exacerbated the issue, with Ghana and neighboring Côte D’Ivoire responsible for a significant share of the global cocoa supply. In response, initiatives like the Forest Data Partnership are being implemented to facilitate access to remote sensing data, allowing communities to track commodities linked to deforestation. This effort, supported by a 2024 UN report, is part of broader strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Continuous monitoring using updated Landsat data and interactive mapping aims to better classify and understand the health of Ghana’s tropical forests, providing insights for conservation efforts.
