Urbanization has also contributed to the decline, albeit to a lesser extent compared to shifting agriculture. The impact of wildfires and forestry has been relatively minimal in comparison, though they still contribute to the overall loss of tree cover.
The net change in tree cover shows a disturbing trend, with a net loss of over 572,000 hectares, which translates to a 5.09% decrease in tree cover. This loss is despite a gain of over 312,000 hectares, indicating that the rate of deforestation has outpaced reforestation efforts.
The latest incident from the Volta Region of Ghana, dated January 17, 2025, adds to the ongoing concern, with fire alerts indicating the continued vulnerability of the region's forests.
The data underscores the urgent need for sustainable land management practices in Ghana to curb the rampant tree cover loss and protect the remaining forests for the environmental health and biodiversity of the region.
