The Forestry Commission (FC) has inducted 74 newly recruited officers to join the Rapid Response Team (RRT)” the military wing” of FC. The ceremony took place at the Shai Hills Resource Reserve.
The event was attended by the Deputy Chief Executives of the Commission, Hon. Martha Kwayie-Manu, Mr. Sulemana Nelson, and Hon. Iddrisu Musah; Mr. Bernard Asamoah, Executive Director Wildlife Division (WD); Mrs. Anne Brown, Director of Human Resource, some selected Directors, Managers and staff.
Mr. Samuel Darko Akonnor, Coordinator, RRT, in delivering his welcome address, mentioned that the RRT was established to address illegalities in forest reserves. The role of the RRT is to support the Commission in fulfilling its mandate to protect and regulate the utilisation of forest and wildlife resources. He said RRT has chalked a lot of successes in the area of protection of lives, forest and wildlife resources. The membership of RRT has increased from 48 after its inception in 2012 to 130 in 2023, which is commendable. Staff have undergone special training in weapon handling, patrol tasks, field tasks, leadership skills, to mention but a few.
Mrs. Anne Brown emphasised that the performance of the staff will be assessed frequently. She reminded them that any negative action they take will attract repercussions on themselves, the Commission and the country at large.
Mr. Sulemana Nelson, in delivering a statement on behalf of the Chief Executive, Mr. John Allotey, emphasised that the safety of field staff comes first. They are the most cherished resource of the Commission and it will be very difficult for them to work effectively when they have not been given the requisite skills and logistics. All newly recruits have undergone military tactical training at the 64 Infantry Regiment Training School at Asutuare and are ready to face the “enemies” in the reserves.
He took the opportunity to appeal to Ghanaian courts to hand over stiffer punishments within the law to illegal actors to serve as deterrent to others who intend to do the same.
The ceremony was preceded by the inspection of parade by the Deputy Chief Executives, Mr. Bernard Asamoah and Director, Stakeholder & Ecotourism, Dr Richard Gyimah. A citation was awarded to Mr. Luri Kanton, former Director of Operations, WD and immediate past Coordinator, RRT.
