FC BOARD INAUGURATED

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has officially sworn in the newly – appointed Board of the Forestry Commission (FC), tasking them with the responsibility to lead, direct, and oversee the activities of the Commission.

The Board Members were introduced and subsequently took the Official Oath, Oath of Secrecy, and Oath of Allegiance.

According to the Minister, the inauguration marks a significant milestone in the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources, ensuring that both current and future generations continue to benefit from them.

In his address, Hon. Buah emphasised the major threats facing the nation’s forests, including illegal mining (galamsey), illegal logging, wildfires, and other harmful activities.

“These challenges not only degrade our ecosystems but also threaten the livelihoods of communities that depend on these natural resources,” he stated.

Describing the new Board as a team of experts from diverse fields, he expressed confidence in their ability to confront and overcome these pressing issues.

He underscored the Board’s critical role in ensuring good governance and operational efficiency, providing strategic direction through sound policymaking, offering oversight for performance and compliance, and leading strong stakeholder engagement.

The Minister urged the Board to support the fight against illegal mining in forest reserves through high-level advocacy and inclusive stakeholder engagement. He further called on them to enhance staff welfare and working conditions by reviewing existing policies, streamline timber and wildlife trade processes, and explore sustainable financing models to support the long-term development of the forestry sector.

Expressing his optimism, he added, “There is no doubt that you will succeed with the Forestry Commission.”He congratulated the members on their appointment and wished them success in their tenure.

In his acceptance remarks, the Board Chairman, Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio, pledged the Board’s commitment to support the Chief Executive and management in addressing key internal and external challenges, and to reposition the Forestry Commission as a robust and efficient agency.

He identified internal challenges such as limited funding and budget constraints, logistical and technological deficits, as well as staffing and capacity gaps.

Externally, he noted that political interference and the over-politicisation of forest governance have undermined enforcement mechanisms and distorted development priorities. These have resulted in challenges such as illegal logging and “galamsey”, attacks on personnel, land use conflicts, encroachment, and climate change impacts.

Despite these hurdles, Prof. Oteng-Ababio expressed strong optimism. “These challenges, though daunting, are not insurmountable. With collective effort, transparency, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, we can rebuild and reset the Forestry Commission,” he asserted.

He affirmed his commitment to lead with integrity and build institutional resilience, ensuring that Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources serve both present and future generations.

“Our Board will not be one that only enjoys the comfort of the boardroom,” he emphasised. “My team, management, and I will join our forest guards in the field to provide moral support and reinforce efforts to protect our forests and Ramsar sites.”

The FC Board is made up of 11 members as stated in the table below.