Story: News Desk
STATEMENT BY THE BOARD CHAIR OF THE FORESTRY COMMISSION FOLLOWING HIS SWEARING-IN
Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister, Chief Directors, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen and our friends from the media,
I stand here today, truly honoured by His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama’s trust in us to serve on the Forestry Commission’s board. As the Chair of the Board, I recognise this institution’s crucial role in the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources. We take on this responsibility with humility, dedication, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Upon assuming office, we will assist the Chief Executive and the management in addressing the multitude of key challenges, both internal and external, to reset the Forestry Commission as a robust and efficient agency. Some of the key challenges are:
INTERNAL CHALLENGES
- Limited Funding and Budget Constraints:
The Commission continues to grapple with inadequate financial resources. These constraints severely affect its ability to effectively monitor forests, undertake reforestation programs, and develop ecotourism and wildlife conservation initiatives. - Logistical and Technological Limitations:
There is a significant shortfall in essential logistics, particularly computers and accessories needed for the smooth functioning of the FLEGT license issuance system. Additionally, the Commission operates with an inadequate and overused fleet of vehicles, which impacts field operations. - Staffing and Capacity Gaps – brain drain:
In recent years, the FC has lost many young, well-trained personnel. Due to poorworking conditions and uncompetitive remuneration, many have resigned to join other institutions or relocated abroad for better opportunities. This brain drain is affecting institutional memory and operational capacity. - Corruption and Weak Internal Controls:
The past four years have seen troubling irregularities in concession awards, complicity in illegal logging, and significant breaches of procurement processes. These issues must be addressed transparently and systematically to restore public confidence and institutional integrity.
EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
1. Illegal Logging and Galamsey:
The scourge of illegal logging and small-scale mining (galamsey) continues to deplete our forest resources at an alarming rate, posing a grave threat to sustainability.
- Attacks on Personnel:
FC staff are increasingly being subjected to threats and attacks in the line of duty—an issue that not only undermines morale but also endangers lives. - Land Use Conflicts and Encroachment:
Protected areas such as the Sukumono Ramsar Site and the Achimota Forest Reserve are under siege from encroachers, leading to biodiversity loss and the erosion of critical ecosystem services. - Climate Change Impacts:
The changing climate continues to alter forest dynamics, threatening habitats, increasing the frequency of wildfires, and exacerbating desertification. - Political Interference:
The over-politicisation of forest governance has sometimes weakened enforcement mechanisms and distorted development priorities.
The Way Forward
These challenges, though daunting, are not insurmountable. We can rebuild and reset the Forestry Commission with collective effort, transparency, innovation, and strong stakeholder collaboration. I am committed to leading the Board with integrity, building institutional resilience, and ensuring that our forest and wildlife resources serve present and future generations.
Honourable Minister, a strong warning is hereby served that the board I will chair will not be one that only enjoys the comfort of the boardroom. My team, management, and I will join our forest guards in the fields to provide them with moral support to protect our forests and the Ramseyer sites. These sites are not for any political party, so we will jealously and indiscriminately support the President in their protection for Ghana.
Thank you, and may God bless our homeland, Ghana.
