The President of The New Ghana Social Justice Forum (NGSJF), Mr. Yahaya Alhassan, has criticised the decision by the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, to commission an artificial football turf in the Savannah Region.
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| Fuseina Suleiman,Green Ghana |
In a statement addressed to the former Minister, Mr. Alhassan argued that public officials should not be celebrated for replacing natural green spaces with synthetic surfaces, particularly at a time when Ghana is promoting environmental sustainability and job creation.
He contended that the Ministry responsible for lands and natural resources should lead by example in protecting and preserving the country's natural environment. According to him, the establishment of artificial turf is inconsistent with the broader objective of promoting sustainable land use and environmental conservation.
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| Yahaya Alhassan, green Ghana. |
Mr. Alhassan noted that maintaining natural grass fields would create employment opportunities for local communities through grass cultivation, watering, trimming, landscaping, and routine maintenance, while also contributing to a greener environment.
He further argued that the continued importation of artificial turf and related materials increases demand for foreign exchange, placing additional pressure on the Ghana cedi and contributing to broader economic challenges.
According to the Forum, covering natural land with synthetic surfaces reduces green space, affects local ecosystems, and runs contrary to environmental sustainability efforts. Mr. Alhassan maintained that Ghana's development agenda should prioritise projects that support climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable land management, consistent with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He questioned whether the construction of artificial football pitches should be a national priority at a time when many young Ghanaians are seeking employment opportunities that could be generated through environmentally sustainable projects.
The Forum therefore called for greater emphasis on the development of natural grass playing fields and green recreational parks as part of Ghana's environmental and employment strategies.
Mr. Alhassan disclosed that The New Ghana Social Justice Forum has undertaken research into the increasing construction of artificial football turfs across the country and has observed what it describes as a contradiction in public policy where governments promote tree-planting and environmental conservation while simultaneously replacing natural landscapes with synthetic surfaces.
He added that the Forum is pursuing advocacy initiatives, including possible legal action, to encourage policies that favour natural grass sports facilities and support the broader vision of a greener and more sustainable Ghana.
