ACCRA: Members of the Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA), an environmental advocacy group, assert that Ghana's position as Co-Chair of the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP) is essential for addressing pressing environmental challenges, including illegal mining activities known locally as "galamsey." According to Ghana News Agency, the HIA Management Board expressed concern over a recent publication by AROCHA Ghana, which called for the removal of Ghana from its Co-Chair role in the FCLP due to the impact of illegal mining. The board, representing diverse communities across five regions in Ghana-Western North, Ahafo, Ashanti, Central, and Eastern-stated that the publication did not reflect the interests of local communities involved in the Ghana REDD+ programme. The group, which includes leadership from regions such as Juaboso Bia, Atewa, Ahafo Ano South, Kakum, Sefwi-Wiawso, and Asunafo Asutifi, emphasized Ghana's significant contributions to global emission reduction efforts. The country's initia tives have led to a decrease of 972,465 tonnes of CO2 in 2019 and 3,379,161 tonnes of CO2 in 2020/2021, with 69 percent of these benefits directly supporting local communities. In their statement, the HIA Board argued that removing Ghana from the FCLP would not effectively address illegal mining issues. While acknowledging the urgency of tackling "galamsey," the group opposed actions that could undermine Ghana's efforts to secure climate investments through its leadership role in the FCLP. The group plans to engage in community-driven efforts and collaborate with various stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the illegal mining problem. The HIA Board serves as the apex decision-making body within the governance framework of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, a leading emission reductions initiative.