The annual Chief Executive’s Awards and Recognition Ceremony 2024 has been observed at the forecourts of the Forestry Commission (FC) Headquarters. The event hosted the Deputy Minister in charge of Lands and Forestry at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Hon. Akwasi Konadu MP; FC Board Chairman, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II; Chief Executive, Mr. John Allotey; Deputy Chief Executives, Mr. Sulemana Nelson Nyadia and Hon. Martha Kwayie Manu, Board Members, Executive Management Team and staff across the various regions of the county.

Mr. Sulemana Nelson Nyadia, expressed the great honour it was, for him to welcome the gathering which served as an opportunity to celebrate excellence, achievements, and education. He especially welcomed and thanked all dignitaries present, saying, “Your presence here today is a testament of the respect and importance you place on this event and those being honoured”. He then went on to congratulate the awardees and mentioned that they were selected from a pool of highly qualified nominees, grounding their exceptional performance during the year. He admonished all staff to continue to strive for excellence, push boundaries and inspire others through their work.

A statement from the Human Resource (HR) Director, Mrs. Anne Brown, FC was delivered by Mr. Mitchel Attipoe, Corporate HR Manager. According to him, 160 staff members have been honoured since the inception of the ceremony in 2012 thus, serving as a motivation for all to endeavour to achieve distinction. He appreciated the award winners for their exceptional contributions which have enhanced the Commision’s image. “To all staff, your dedication, professionalism and pursuit of excellence have been key to our success”, he remarked, as he urged all staff to take note of the challenges of the year, embrace change, strive for improvement, and aim at maintaining positive work ethics in the coming year. He also acknowledged the planning committee, the Public Relations (PR) team, and the HR department for their support. “In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, as we enter the year 2025, let us be supportive of each other and continue pushing the boundaries of our potential”, he remarked and wished everyone a blissful yuletide.

The District Manager for Ho, Mr. Horatius Kofi Asano, introduced the chairperson for the event, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, who was obliged to accept the duty bestowed on him and encouraged all to fully participate in the day’s event. He responded by reminding everyone that the FC is the only institution mandated to safeguard the country’s greatest asset which is the forest. This was to emphasize on the imperative nature of the work of the institution and why it was necessary to celebrate the brilliance and strong input attached to it.

The Chief Executive of FC, Mr. John Allotey, addressed the gathering, highlighting key achievements and challenges during the year under review. Notable accomplishments included the Ghana Tourism Authority ranking Kakum National Park, Accra, and Kumasi Zoos among Ghana’s top ten most visited ecotourism sites Mr. Allotey underscored the organization’s dedication to sustainable forest, human resource development, and climate resilience. “Today marks a significant milestone for this organization as we bring the curtain down to another term,” he stated, reflecting on progress made in initiatives such as the Green Ghana Day, where over 13.8 million seedlings were distributed. He also praised staff efforts in combating illegal forest activities and advancing plantation development, achieving 11,743 hectares of reforestation despite setbacks like illegal mining and logging.

In the area of innovation, the Commission launched a Certificate in Natural Resource Management program in collaboration with the University of Energy and Natural Resources to address a shortage of skilled middle-level staff. The speech also highlighted the first consignment of Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensed timber scheduled for 2025, making Ghana the first African country to comply with European Union (EU) timber regulations. Reflecting on these milestones, Mr. Allotey expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their contributions, stating, “I am particularly indebted to our frontline staff—forest guards, rangers, and the Rapid Response Team—who set out each day to protect our forest and wildlife resources.”

Mr. Allotey ended his speech with a forward-looking vision, emphasising climate change resilience and private sector engagement through significant funding agreements such as the $30 million pledge from the United Arab Emirates. He commended the staff’s dedication and the support from partners, community leaders, and the government. “To our partners, stakeholders, and forest sector operators, I say thank you for your support, contribution, and guidance,” he said. Expressing optimism for the future, he wished all attendees a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

There was then a statement from Hon. Akwasi Konadu, MP. “When the last tree dies, the last man dies”. This statement was made by the Deputy Minisiter, quoting the old saying, to reiterate the importance of the work of FC. He extended regards from the Sector Ministry and his pleasure to be a part of the day’s celebration. He took the opportunity to further acknowledge FC’s role in the successful implementation of the Green Ghana Day initiative and entreated everyone to be a watchdog for the trees planted. He concluded by congratulating the award winners and urged them to work harder to justify the recognition received.

This was followed by several rounds of award presentations amidst vibrant performances from the cultural troupe and music from the FC Choir. The awards were presented by the FC Board Chairman, Board members, the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executives, directors, and the Deputy Minister, MLNR. Each awardee received a cash award, plaque, a citation, and an option of a deep freezer, television, or fridge.

Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, in his closing remarks, thanked all present and commended the FC for all the good work in achieving set targets during the year. There were photo, networking, and refreshment sessions to culminate the day.