The government has been urged to make land restoration a national priority as growing land degradation threatens food security, livelihoods and climate resilience.

The call also underscored the need for stronger sustainable land management practices to reverse degraded ecosystems, protect biodiversity and support sustainable development.

A statement signed by the African Ambassador for Inclusive Urban Governance and Climate Resilient Development, Gifty Nyarko, and released to the Daily Graphic  ahead of this year's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, said degradation of rangelands and dryland ecosystems, particularly in the Northern parts of the country, posed serious risks to food production, biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of millions of people across Africa.

The day, which will be observed on June 17, this year, is on the theme: 'Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore".

The statement said urgent and coordinated action was needed to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land-use practices.

Africa's challenge

On the challenge confronting Africa, the statement said the observance was particularly significant for Africa, including Ghana, where vast rangelands and drylands supported millions of people through livestock production, agriculture, ecosystem services and cultural heritage.

It expressed concern that those landscapes were increasingly under threat from land degradation, desertification, climate variability, biodiversity loss, unsustainable land-use practices and rapid population growth.

It said the challenges of desertification, drought, flooding, food insecurity and environmental degradation were interconnected and, therefore, required integrated, evidence-based and inclusive responses.

COP17 preparations

As preparations begin for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, it stressed the need for countries to move beyond commitments and implement concrete measures to protect and restore degraded landscapes.

The statement said rangeland restoration should be viewed not only as an environmental obligation but also as a strategic investment in food security, economic growth, social stability and sustainable development.

"The future of Africa will be shaped not only by the cities we build and the economies we grow, but also by the landscapes we protect and restore," it stated.

It added that healthy rangelands and resilient ecosystems remained indispensable foundations for climate resilience, environmental sustainability, food security and inclusive development.