FC strengthens regulatory framework for sustainable forest management

The Forestry Commission (FC) is working to strengthen institutional and regulatory frameworks to promote sustainable forest and wildlife resources management in the country.

It would also strengthen and enhance law enforcement within forest reserves and wildlife protected areas.

Mr John Allotey, Chief Executive who stated this, said the Commission would in 2022, begin the implementation of the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy through the establishment and maintenance of forest plantations across the country.

The Commission would also provide adequate resources to the Forest Services Division and Resource Management Support Center to scale up research and field trials on fast-growing tree species, planting of indigenous tree species, and incorporation of shade-loving non-timber forest products and crops within forest plantations.

Mr Allotey was speaking at the 2021 Chief Executive’s End of Year Briefing and Staff Recognition Award Ceremony, at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Municipality.

The occasion saw a total of 18 staff members rewarded for their outstanding behaviour, exemplifying the core values of the FC, commitment to roles, an exhibition of business-oriented skills in the discharge of their duties as well as being customer-focused.

They were presented with certificates, electrical gadgets, citations and cash prizes.

Mr Allotey touching on the operations of the Commission said it targeted to develop 25,000 hectares of the plantation but was able to plant 18,000 hectares as at the end of September this year.

The FC was able to maintain 10, 425 hectares of existing plantation while it planted a total of 2.8 million trees on farms, in collaboration with the Ghana COCOBOD.

Mr Allotey indicated that the Commission was able to produce 54,000 tons of food crops made up of tubers, cereals, and other foods from the implementation of the Modifying Taungya System (MTS).

He said MTS, which was the system of intercropping trees with food crops, was a way of encouraging members in forest fringe communities to plant trees in their farms.

Nana Adu Mensah Asare, Amakomhene, who is also the Chairman of the Asante Kingdom Landscape Restoration Programme, said the Programme had partnered with the FC to plant and manage 100,000,000 trees in the Asante Kingdom by the year 2030.

It had so far been able to plant and continue to nurture 315,000 trees within the Lake Bosumtwi enclave.

The aim is to renew the commitment of members in communities in the Bosomtwe area to restore the degraded environment.

He commended the FC for supplying seedlings and offering technical support to the Programme.