The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Ashanti Region has raised an alarm over the destruction of the forest shelter around the Barekese Water Treatment Plant.
According to officials, over 50% of the forest cover has been affected due to illegal logging, farming, sand mining, and settlement expansion.
The company has commenced a reforestation exercise with the planting of over 5,000 trees to restore the forest shelter for the Barekese Dam.
The Barekese dam is the main source of raw water for the Barekese Treatment Plant, which serves thousands of households in Kumasi and surrounding communities.
Speaking during a tree-planting exercise in Barekese, the Regional Chief Manager for the Ashanti Production Region, Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, said the entire catchment area is about 16km². However, about 10km² has been degraded, leaving only 9km² of forest to protect the water source.
According to him, activities such as illegal logging, farming, sand mining, and unauthorised buildings have led to massive soil erosion.
He warned that without urgent action, Kumasi could face water shortages that would disrupt businesses across the region.
To reverse the damage, Ghana Water has begun planting over 5,000 trees. The company says it will take about 10 years to recover the lost 10km² and return the forest to its natural biodiversity.
The Regional Chief Manager noted that the reforestation is critical to ensure better climate conditions, stable temperatures, and a constant river source for treatment.
He further called on the media to partner with the company’s advocacy drive for the need to protect the forest.
Mr. Mensah-Akutteh called on district assemblies to enforce by-laws to safeguard the land, while urging chiefs to take responsibility for its protection. He also encouraged students to recognise the importance of conserving the area.
Meanwhile, Nkwawie Forestry District Manager, Abraham Essel, said the Forestry Commission remains committed to restoring degraded landscapes.
