Some members of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Advisory Board, have visited the Forestry Commission(FC), to know how the Commission is faring, monitor the progress of FC’s activities and challenges, and how the Advisory Board can assist in providing support or mitigate the Commission’s challenges.
This meeting was the last the Advisory Board will be having with the Commission as their tenure comes to an end soon.
The Chairman of the Advisory Board, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, who is also the Paramount Chief of Assin Kushea Traditional Area, said they would share the challenges with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A.Jinapor, MP, to be put on file so that when any other minister comes to occupy the office, he would be properly updated on the Commission’s issues.
The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey, briefed the members of the Advisory Board about some prominent activities the Commission has embarked on this year. He also gave a presentation on the overview of FC, key achievements from 2021-2024, projects being implemented, and challenges.
Some of the key achievements he highlighted on was Green Ghana Day, since its inception in 2021. He said so far, over 42 million tree seedlings have been distributed and planted nationwide.
He also touched on the training some of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) staff had undergone at the 64 Infantry Regiment Training School at Asutsuare since 2017, to equip the staff with the necessary skills that will enable them to protect the forest.
Other key achievements he mentioned were the passage of the Wildlife Bill and the commencement of the Certificate in Natural Resources Management Programme at the Forestry Commission Training Centre, Ashanti Region.
He mentioned some key achievements under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project (GSLERP), such as the establishment of about 400ha of forest plantation in degraded areas in the Northern Region and Savannah landscapes, the establishment of 47 community shea nurseries, employment of over 100,000 women working at the nurseries, 2,466 farmers working under the Modified Taungya System (MTS) program, and the FC and Tullow Oil REDD+ project.
According to the Chief Executive, some of the projects being implemented by the Commission are the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP), Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program (GCFRP), Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project (GSLERP), Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition Fund, Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy (GFPS), and the Ghana Forest Investment Program (GFIP)
Some of the challenges the Chief Executive revealed were illegal logging, “galamsey”, and the Fulani herdsmen menace.
The Chief Executive thanked the team for their guidance and support in the management of the Commission, through the Ministry.
The Chairman of the Advisory Board said that it is always refreshing to be at the Forestry Commission. He thanked the Chief Executive and staff for making time for the meeting.
The Chairman was accompanied by Madam Jacqueline Boakye-Yiadom and Madam Sheila Bartels.
