Forest sector now contributes $200m yearly in foreign exchange to Ghana’s economy

The Ghana Institute of Foresters has called for a more aggressive push towards replanting of destroyed forests to improve on the sector’s current annual contribution of $200 million to the national economy.

Dr Kwame Asamoah Adam, the National President, who said  about 100,000 people are employed by the sector hence the need for a massive capital injection into the sector by the Government, given its significant contribution to the national economy.

The National President who was speaking at the opening session of the 15th annual general meeting of the institute in Kumasi called for commitment from all stakeholders to tackle problems of over-logging, wildfires and lack of finance, which were undermining its development.

The two-day meeting is being attended by 300 delegates drawn from all parts of the country.

“Building viable wood and forest-based industries for sustainable national development – Role of the forester”, is the theme.

Topics that are being discussed include, “Challenges of sustainable timber harvesting in natural tropical forest”, “Obstacles to timber plantation development in Ghana”, “Difficulties to meeting local log and lumber supply and others.”

Dr Adam said as a professional body, members were determined to play a crucial role to help improve the sector to ensure sustainable national development.

Dr Kwabena Tuffour, who chaired the session, urged the delegates to use the period to take stock of their activities and come out with effective and pragmatic measures to enhance efficient management of the forest resources.

Source: GNA