More plantations established

Kumasi, Nov.19, GNA - About 120,000 hectares of plantations have been established under the various plantations development schemes of the National Plantation Development Programmes of the Forestry Commission (FC).

Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive Director of the Commission, who announced this said, what was unique about the plantation programme was the involvement of communities in almost every aspect of it, especially, the modified Taungya scheme, which offers 40 per cent of the proceeds to the participating rural farmers. Professor Kotey was opening a five-day workshop on "Enhancing Stakeholders Participation in National Forest Programme" in Kumasi. It is being attended by key stakeholder groups including, the academia, Public Service, National Forestry Forum, Timber Industry, Civil Society Organization and the National Forestry Programme. The workshop, co-sponsored by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), National Forest Programme Facility and the FC has the overall objective of developing the capacity of the National Forest Programme Coordinators, and other key forestry stakeholder representatives, to meaningfully and practically enhance participation of key stakeholders in forestry decision making.

Professor Kotey said that in the area of restoring the forest cover, the Ministry has intensified the implementation of the National Plantation Development programme and hoped the efforts would improve efficiency in the sector, protect the forest resource and help reduce poverty in the rural communities. He, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the reforms would depend on the level of awareness of stakeholders, the degree of their acceptance as well as the extent of their involvement in the reform process.

Dr. Atse Yapi, National Forest Programme Facility Officer of FAO in Accra said Ghana is considered one of the most progressive countries in West Africa in terms of sustainable forest management and reforms. He said Ghana was also noted for involving non-state participation in its policy formulation and implementation to enhance forestry sustainability. Naa Robert Loggah, President of the Forest Forum, Ghana, and Divisional Traditional Ruler in the Kaleo Traditional Area in the Upper West Region called for effective collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure proper forest management in the country. c