The Offinso District of the Forestry Commission says illegal farming and chainsaw operations are hindering efforts to protect forests in the area.
District Manager of the Forestry Service Division, Edward Nyamaa, highlighted the challenges when Knowledge for World Conservation, a non-governmental organisation, launched a committee to protect the various forests in the Offinso District.
The community resource management committees are formed to help the Forestry Commission to protect forest resources.
The “Forest Watch” application has been developed as a technological way for frontline workers and executives to monitor and detect illegal farming, chainsaw operators and bushfires for immediate reporting.
Offinso District Manager of the Forestry Service Division, Edward Nyamaa, addressed a close-out workshop and launch of the community resource management committee.
Senior Project Officer for Knowledge World Conservation (KWC) in the Ashanti Region, Betty Boante Abeyie, stated that committees from various communities in the Offinso District have been established to monitor and protect the forests.
She emphasized that farmers living near the forest reserves can assist the Forest Division in combating illegal activities affecting the Offinso North and South Forests.
The committees will be provided with the necessary training and equipment to help address the illegal activities in the Offinso District
Nana Kofi Aboagye III, Chief of Asepanaeye and Offinso Semanhyia-hene, lauded the establishment of the committee to monitor the forest.
He entreated the government to allocate the necessary funds to support farmers who have planted varieties of trees in the district.