The Forestry Commission has called on government to adequately resource it to strengthen the protection of forest reserves across the country.
Speaking to Adom News at Goaso during a sensitisation programme for timber operators on “Corrective Action Requests,” the Manager of Field Verification and Audit at the Forestry Commission, Frank Ankomah, said illegal activities within forest reserves continue to pose a major challenge.
According to him, some individuals invading forest reserves are heavily armed, making it difficult for Forestry Commission personnel assigned to protect the reserves to confront them effectively.
He noted that the type of weapons used by illegal operators destroying forest reserves is alarming, stressing that the commission requires adequate logistical and security support to deal with the menace.
Dr. Ankomah therefore appealed to government to provide the necessary resources to enable the commission to effectively safeguard the country’s forest reserves.
Meanwhile, the Senior Project Manager of the Nature and Development Foundation, Margaret Appiah, said the foundation has partnered with the Forestry Commission since 2013 to sensitise players in the timber industry to help prevent illegal activities.
She noted that the Ahafo Region remains one of the active timber-producing areas in the country, adding that the foundation and the commission will continue engaging stakeholders to ensure sustainable operations and the protection of forest reserves.
The Director of Operations for the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Mawuli Doe, also said the commission has intensified efforts to deal with illegal timber operators and other offenders within the industry.
According to him, the commission will continue to engage operators to ensure they obtain all the required documentation for their activities.
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