5 Civil Society Organisations focused on environmental protection have sued the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission over plans to declassify over 30 Globally Significant Forest Areas to permit for logging.
The groups include; A Rocha Ghana, Tropenbos Ghana, Nature and Development Foundation, Civic response, and Eco-Care Ghana.
In a suit filed at an Accra High Court on 10th October 2024, the groups questioned the decision to hand over a Timber Utilization Contract to logging companies without due process.
They are, therefore, seeking among others a declaration that the declassification of the Forest Areas and the contracts are unlawful.
Also, a declaration restraining the Lands Ministry and the Forestry Commission from handing out the timer untilization contracts to any company.
The Globally Significant Forest Areas cited in the suit include Tano Nimiri reserve, Abasumba reserve, Apedwa reserve, Subri River reserve, Atewa Range Reserve and 25 others
