The Sherigu forest belt in Ghana’s Upper East Region is under serious threat as illegal mining and firewood harvesting steadily degrade the environment. The Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organisation (ADDRO) highlighted growing environmental damage and its impact on the local community during a World Environment Day Street campaign.
According to ADDRO’s Northern Ghana Climate Resilience Program, illegal mining is gradually taking hold in Sherigu. Young men and women are increasingly drawn into small-scale, unregulated mining activities—commonly known as galamsey—leading to environmental destruction and significant health risks for those involved.
Sherigu’s forest once served as a natural anchor for the community, but its role is being undermined. Many women have turned to harvesting firewood from the forest as a primary source of livelihood. However, there is little or no effort to replace the trees being cut down. This destruction of the last remaining trees could ultimately make life unbearable for everyone.
The campaign also raised alarms about the widespread use of plastic, especially in food and shopping packaging. Representatives from the Forestry Department, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and local assembly members joined the call for more responsible waste practices and stronger environmental protections.
Women participants urged for increased livelihood support to reduce reliance on environmentally harmful practices. Some have already begun benefiting from ADDRO interventions, including support for small ruminants, savings and education programs, agricultural inputs, and entrepreneurship training.
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