The Chief Executive of Forestry Commission (FC), Mr. John Allotey, has called on staff of the Forest Services Division (FSD) in the Western Region. He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Hon. Martha Kwayie Manu; Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Elisha Asiedu Amponsah; Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Anne Brown; and the Head of Corporate Affairs & Media Relations, Mrs. Joyce Ofori Kwafo.

Mr. Mike Pentsil, the Western Region Manager, FSD, welcomed the CE  and his team and informed staff that the CE was at the Review Meeting of TIDD and decided to call on staff of FSD to wish them a Happy New Year.

The CE in addressing staff, expressed his contentment at work done by the Region so far and encouraged them to do more in the midst of all the difficulties. He mentioned that illegal mining is gradually taking a chunk of the Commission’s attention so more work will be required from staff to curb that menace and a lot of efforts will be required from staff to keep the nation’s forests intact. He touched on the following issues:

  • Uniforms will be supplied to staff by the end of June 2023.
  • Promotional interviews are being conducted so staff should upgrade themselves and once they meet the requirements, they will be promoted.
  • There will be staff transfers across the board. When that happens, staff details on the payroll should also be transferred to their new stations.   
  • Funds collected on behalf of the Division should be lodged at the various banks on time.
  • Staff should not condone illegalities in their field of work.
  • Auctioning of seized wood should be done without partiality.
  • Staff should come up with ideas that will rake in multiple streams of income for the Commission.
  • Applauded staff for their wonderful performance during the 2022 Green Ghana Day planting exercise.
  • The Region’s target for the Green Ghana Day 2023 will be made known in due course and there will be no seedlings purchase from private suppliers to minimise cost. Staff will be supplied with poly bags to start nursing seedlings for the Day’s planting activities.
  • Staff should learn about the operations of other divisions, for instance climate change, because it is linked to FSD‘s work.
  • District Managers should take good care of logistics provided them for official duties.
  • Staff should think about ways to attract investors into plantation development by identifying degraded forest reserves and making it available for would-be investors.
  • Staff should shun all forms of divisiveness and work together because they all work for one Commission.
  • Staff should comply with the wearing of uniforms on Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • Staff should support traditional authorities in their operational areas  at all their functions, for instance festivals and funerals.

Concluding his delivery, the Chief Executive commended all staff who  have served the Commission for long, making special reference to Mr. Emmanuel Andorful, a chauffeur, who has served the Division in the Region for 18 years. He said the HR Department will reward him one day. He thanked all staff for making time to meet with him.