Ghanaians react as Facebook removes posts about The Fourth Estate’s exposé on mining in forest reserves

Some Ghanaian Facebook users have expressed outrage over the removal of posts about The Fourth Estate’s latest exposé on a scramble by some government officials and politically exposed persons to mine in Ghana’s forest reserves.

The Fourth Estate, in its latest exposé, has named some government officials and members of the governing party reportedly using their companies to mine in protected forest reserves that threaten both the forests and some water bodies.

They named several officials, including Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, Kumasi Mayor Sam Pyne, and the NPP’s 2024 Parliamentary candidate for Juaben, Francis Owusu-Akyaw, among others.

Read also: Forest Invasion: Companies owned by Wontumi, Kumasi mayor & others scramble to mine in Ghana’s forest reserves
The Fourth Estate revealed that while some of these officials publicly advocate for environmental sustainability and tree planting, their companies are involved in activities that threaten the existence of forest reserves.

Following the exposé, concerned citizens took to Facebook to express their displeasure over the alleged misconduct of these officials, only to find their posts removed or blocked by Facebook for violating “community standards.”

However, some social media users have speculated that elements within the government may be behind this as a form of censorship.

Below are a few comments from the platform.