GHANA’S Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, has tasked the newly inaugurated 11-member Forestry Commission Board to implement pragmatic policies to ensure conservation of the country’s dying forest.
“The impact of deforestation and forest degradation are now very obvious; loss of biodiversity, extinction of prime timber species, drying up of water bodies, climate change and this should be a great source of worry to every Ghanaian”
“In this regard, there is the need to urgently restore the rapidly declining values and functions of the forest to ensure a continuous flow of benefits to all segments of society,” the Minister said.
The Minister however tasked the Board to as a matter of urgency halt illegal chain saw, galamsey activities and the over exploitation of rosewood from the ecologically fragile savanna ecosystem which has resulted in the ban of the harvesting and exportation of the species.
Additionally, he tasked the Board to oversee the smooth implementation of the New Forest and Wildlife Policy -2012, which has shifted focus from over-reliance on revenues from timber production to biodiversity conservation, ecotourism development and watershed management and protection.
The minister further tasked the Board to apply the principles of integrity, honesty, objectivity and humility as well as make the national interest paramount in the discharge of their duties.
The chairman of the Board Mr Edward Prah pledged the full cooperation of members to discharge their duties effectively.
“we pledge on full cooperation and loyalty to you the appointing authorities of this board and cordial, effective ,transparent but decisive working relations with the management of the Commission” he said
The other members of the Board include Mr Moomen Alhassan,Ms Agnes Bertha, Mr Samuel Afari Dartey, Chief Executive Officer of Forestry Commission, Awulae Attibrukusu III, and Naa (Dr) Puoure Puobe Chiir VII.
The rest are Richard Dua Nsenkyire, Mr Kingsley Ghartey, Dr Ernest Asare Abeney, Dr Wilfred Anim-Odame and Mr Gerald Boakye.
African Eye News
