Give the future a chance by prioritizing sustainability not just production – A ROCHA admonishes on International Day of Forest

The International Day of Forest (IDF) is marked annual on March 21. The day is purposely set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and trees outside forests for the benefit of current and future generations.

This year, the celebration is anchored on the theme, “Forests and sustainable production  and consumption” – casting a spotlight on the many products and services that ecosystems like forests offer and how those products can be harnessed and consumed without repercussions to our future reliance on them.

The theme for us as an environmental stewards is very timely as we unfortunately, come face -to -face with the wanton destruction meted out on many of our forests and protected areas on daily basis, while we miss out on the full suite of opportunities and services forests present us. From logging both legally and illegally to mining of various degrees, encroachment  from farming activities both for food  crops to cash crops to the harvesting of wood fuel and charcoal production , we are gradually converting all our forests to other land uses, without a thought for the needs of the future generations.

As Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark IDF 2022, it will be prudent to first of all work towards addressing the challenges hampering the effective and sustainable management of Ghana’s existing forests. It is imperative to prioritize securing what is left of Ghana’s forests resources else we may not have anything left of our forest to either produce or consume , talkless of doing so sustainably.

No matter how clichéd this may sound, the truth is that , the water we drink , the medicines we rely on for good health, the books that our children use in school and the roof over our heads (just to mention a few) are all connected to the forest but unfortunately , we  fail to make those salient connections.

The current existential threat of climate change, biodiversity and environmental pollution requires a reorientation and paradigm shift in the way we utilize forests for timber, wood fuel, and also for provision of non-timber forest products.

Concerns raised about timber production in Ghana is not just about the impacts on forest but also because of the scale of the losses in national GDP. It is therefore no news that Ghana continues to grapple with illegality in its domestic timber market despite several interventions to sanitize the sector including the long running FLEGT-VPA process.

Wood fuel, including charcoal, account for about half of total global roundwood production, and industrial roundwood for the other half. A large part of Ghana’s population depends on the country’s forest for wood for fuel and charcoal production. Though perceived to be one of the biggest and most thriving informal businesses in Ghana, unsustainable charcoal production has contributed to forest degradation in the country. There is therefore the need for proper investment in a traceable green charcoal value chain which explores several alternatives for charcoal and firewood production.

Non-Timber Forest Production play a significant role in the socio-economic development of many developing nations including Ghana. Resources such as bamboo, rattan, straw, medicinal plants, honey, mushroom and animals and animal parts like grass-cutter hides and skins and many others have huge potential to contribute to green growth in Ghana and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

As we reflect on the theme of sustainable production and consumption of forest products, it is critical to ensure that all the forest management policies, protocols, guidelines and much importantly investments lead to outcomes for forest gains as well as enhance forest services and products and not forest loss as we are experiencing now.

Several successful examples and innovation exist for us to learn from. Let us not miss out on this opportunity to give future generations a chance to stay resilient in the face of climate change and increasing biodiversity loss.

Thank you.

For follow-Up Engagement

Daryl Bosu

Deputy National Director

A ROCH Ghana

Source: GhanaPlus.com