Ghana loses about ?1,872 trillion annually through environmental degradation, mainly through illegal felling of trees and mining, according to statistics available at the Ministry of Environment and Science.

The statistics also indicate that the country has lost over 70 per cent of its forest cover within the past few decades, with an increasing pressure on forest and other natural resources.

Me Edward Nsenkyire, Chief Director of the Ministry, made these observations at the first National Environment Awards Nigh in Accra at the weekend. The programme saw six journalists and a non-governmental organisation, taking home prizes, and two special awards going to individuals. It was also to show appreciation to the media, especially journalists who have campaigned for the protection of the environment through their writings and discussions.

The award was categorized into the best electronic environmental journalist and the overall best environmental journalist of the year 2003. Ms Ama Kudom-Agyemang, of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (Radio), was adjudged the Overall Best environmental journalist for 2003, and received a 21 inch colour television and ?3 million.

Mrs Joyce Takyi, also of GBC Radio, was adjudged the best electronic environmental journalist and she took home a 21-inch colour television and ?2 million. Other award winners were; Mr Emmanuel Kwarteng of the ?Daily Graphic?, Mrs Gifa Azumah, a prolific writer on environmental issues and Mr Sylvanus Kumi, also an environmental crusade, who writes for the ?Ghanaian Times? took the third, second and first prizes respectively.

For their prizes, Mr Kumi took away a 21-inch colour television and ?2 million, Mrs Azumah received a 14-inch colour television and ?2 million and Mr Kwarteng had 14-inch colour television and ?1 million.

A special award was given to Mr Lovelace Opoku-Agyemang who writes for a number of newspaper including the ?Ghanaian Times? and ?Evening News? he received a 14-inch colour TV and ?2 million. The Green Salt Organisation a non-governmental organisation was adjudged the best NGO in environmental protection for 2003, whilst Colonel Kofi Abaka Jackson a retired pilot, also won a special award for his zeal towards ensuring the protection of the environment and his invention of the turbine engine.