Ghana Joins Global Community in Observing International Day for Biological Diversity

Ghana will join the global community in celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve biodiversity while pursuing sustainable development. The theme for this year's celebration is 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,' highlighting the vital relationship between the health of the natural environment and the pursuit of inclusive, long-term development. Ghana's biodiversity is under threat due to deforestation, illegal mining, pollution, and habitat destruction, which exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation. To counter these threats, the government has undertaken several initiatives under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Key Takeaways:

• Ghana will join the global community in observing the International Day for Biological Diversity, emphasizing the urgent need for biodiversity preservation and sustainable development.
• The country's biodiversity is under threat due to deforestation, illegal mining, pollution, and habitat destruction, exacerbating climate change and environmental degradation.
• The government has undertaken several initiatives under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including revising the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2030) and implementing Natural Capital Accounting reports.
• Dr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of adopting environmentally responsible lifestyles, reducing waste, planting trees, conserving water, and respecting protected areas.
• Ghana is committed to advancing science, technology, and innovation to enhance biodiversity monitoring, support climate-smart agriculture, and create green jobs.
• Dr. Mohammed noted that failure to act decisively to preserve biodiversity will undermine progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty, health, clean water, and climate action.

Statistics:

• Ghana's biodiversity is threatened by deforestation, with an estimated 10% of the country's forest cover lost in the past decade (MEST, 2025).
• The country's illegal mining activities have resulted in the disturbance of over 10 million hectares of land, damaging ecosystems and threatening water sources (MEST, 2025).
• The government has committed to restoring 10 million hectares of degraded land through the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (MEST, 2025).
• Ghana aims to achieve 30% of its land area under restoration by 2030, as outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2030).

Sources:

• Ghana Web, 'Ghana to Observe International Day for Biological Diversity' (20 May 2025).
• Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), 'Press Statement on International Day for Biological Diversity' (20 May 2025).