AGRICULTURE

Gov’t bent on wining fight against illegal logging, land degradation – Minister
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Salifu Saeed, has indicated that, the Akuffo-Addo-led administration is bent on winning the fight against illegal logging and land degradation that has almost depleted the country’s rich forest reserves.

Date Created : 6/29/2017 4:02:13 AM : Story Author : Emmanuel Frimpong/Ghanadistricts.com

He said, in spite of the many benefits derived from the forest, the forest and wildlife resources of Ghana continue to face serious threats of degradation and deforestation due to factors such as illegal logging, illegal mining (Galamsey), unsustainable farming practices, and collection of fuel wood in commercial quantities, among others.

 

 

The results of these are severe climate change impacts that have resulted in the drying up of many water bodies in most communities across the country.

 

 

However, speaking at the commissioning ceremony a newly constructed Resource Management Support Centre (RMSC) in Tamale, the minister noted that measures were being put in place by government to ensure proper monitoring and survey at various forest reserves.

 


 

 He said this is to help protect the remaining forest reserves from total destruction by illegal logger.

 

 He revealed that government has also strengthened authorization of appropriate institutions and agencies implementing the functions of protection, management and regulation of forests to provide for related matters as part of measures to protect the existing forest reserves.

 

 Also speaking at the short ceremony Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also disclosed that the facility will provide proper critical services such as Surveying, Mapping of the Savanna Landscapes especially forest reserves; Monitoring, Reporting and verifications of Carbon Emissions and Resource Development.

 

 He noted that the new office is expected to serve the three regions of the North and therefore tasked management of the facility to make judicious use of the Centre to ensure its intended purpose.