A Rocha Ghana, an environmental non-governmental organisation, has strongly criticised the ongoing felling of trees along the Atomic-Kwabenya highway by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).

In a press release dated Tuesday, May 20, 2025, A Rocha Ghana accused the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission of orchestrating the cutting of trees along the Atomic-Kwabenya stretch of the highway.

The organisation further alleged that similar actions were carried out by the Commission in 2024 to make way for the construction of a fuel station.

“The Atomic-Kwabenya tree arcade is one of the few remaining tree arcades in Accra’s suffocating urban expansion. However, there seems to be a deliberate ploy to get rid of the trees.

“Last year, two trees were hurriedly felled, with support from the Atomic Energy Commission, to allow a fuel station to be quickly set up along the road not far from the Maker's House Chapel driveway. How that filling station managed to sneak into a sensitive wetland area between the Atomic Police Station and the entrance to the Atomic Energy Commission is shocking,” portions of the statement read.

A Rocha Ghana described the incident as “an environmental sabotage”, emphasising the need for a clear and enforceable plan for replanting and maintaining green cover to be established before any trees are cut down.

“A clear, enforceable plan for replanting and maintaining green cover is essential. Indiscriminate tree removal without a proper maintenance and replacement regime leads to environmental degradation, increased urban heat, and loss of biodiversity.

“If trees must be cut, every removed tree should be replaced with two or more native species in suitable locations, and strict monitoring should ensure their survival. Sustainable urban development requires balancing progress with ecological responsibility.

“This development is very unfortunate and needless, considering that Urban Roads had to pause construction works after public outcry to redesign the road to protect the trees. Now that the plan is set, other agents are going in to deliberately destroy the trees gradually. This is environmental sabotage and shameful,” the statement added.

A Rocha Ghana’s statement follows the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s felling of eight mahogany trees and six Leucaena trees, as well as the pruning of 43 mahogany trees on both sides of the Atomic-Kwabenya highway.

The action scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, is being carried out with the approval of the Executive Director of the Forest Services Division.

Meanwhile, the police have diverted traffic from Atomic First Gate to Atomic Police Station to pave way for the felling of trees.

Read the statement below:

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission has started pruning some mahogany trees on the Haatso-Kwabenya road that pose a threat to electricity cables.#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/rcQr6Llnuw

— #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) May 20, 2025