A local tour guide, Joshua, has raised the alarm over illegal logging activities at Mount Afadja, Ghana’s highest peak, warning that continued tree felling could have long-term consequences for tourism, biodiversity, and local communities.
According to Joshua, he has been guiding visitors at Mount Afadja for over five years, described the situation as “an eyesore,” noting that much of the forest cover along the popular hiking routes has been destroyed.
“Gone are the days when climbers could enjoy trees all along the one-hour hike to the summit. Now, illegal tree cutting has left large gaps in the forest,” he said.
Mount Afadja, also known as Afadzato, is a major tourist attraction in the Volta Region. The mountain’s forests provide habitat for various wildlife species, including gray parrots, which rely on the trees for nesting and feeding.
Joshua warned that the loss of forest cover could result in the disappearance of these species and negatively impact ecotourism activities such as bird watching.
He added that Illegal logging is also affecting local employment citing many youths from surrounding communities are trained as site guides and forest guards to support tourism, but ongoing deforestation threatens these opportunities.
Joshua confirmed that some enforcement action has been taken:
“Three people have been arrested and eight machines seized, but illegal loggers remain active, showing how resilient they are in pursuing this business,” he said.
He called on the Forestry Commission, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and other government agencies to intervene:
“We are pleading for immediate action before it’s too late for the environment, for tourism, and for our future,” Joshua added.
Mount Afadja has long been celebrated for its scenic hiking trails, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance.
However, without stricter regulation and enforcement, the mountain’s ecological and economic value could be irreversibly damaged.