Forestry plunder can’t continue – Hammah
Mr Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has described as disturbing the rate at which the nation is losing its forest cover and said that could not be allowed to continue.
It is completely unacceptable and must be tackled head-on.
He said there is the need for drastic measures to stop the over exploitation of timber, illegal chainsaw and mining, right inside the reserves.
Mr Hammah, who was speaking at the launch of the “Greening Ghana Day” at Asante-Mampong, also raised concern about the contribution of wildfires and conversion of the forests into farm lands to the degradation.
The programme, jointly put together by the Ministries of Lands and Natural resources and the Environment, Science and Technology, was on the theme, “Our forests, our future.”
It was meant to encourage all to join in the fight to protect the remaining forests and engage in massive reforestation of the denuded ones.
Among the large gathering were chiefs, farmers, heads of decentralized departments and school children.
Mr Hammah spoke of the tremendous benefits from the forests, citing foreign exchange earnings from timber, wood fuel, direct and indirect employment and said these were under serious threat by the wanton destruction.
He said the re-launch of the forest plantation development programme in all the political administrative districts is meant to restore the forests adding that the implementation is, however, faced with some challenges including funding.
The Minister said the government is making every effort to provide the needed financial support for the programme.
He announced an award scheme by his Ministry and the Forestry Commission (FC) to reward hard working regional and district managers of the forest services division (FSD), who exceed their targets for the year.
Mr Samuel Afari Dartey, Executive Secretary of the FC, said the Commission is doing everything to get more farmers and institutions to go into tree planting.
He invited the private sector to collaborate with the government to revamp the forestry sector for the present generation and posterity.
Dr Kwaku Agyemang Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, appealed to all Ghanaians to actively support efforts at ensuring sustainable management of the nation’s natural resources.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Omanhene of Asante-Mampong, called for firm and decisive action against those plundering the forest and its resources.
Source: GNA