Dutch Ambassador pledges support for re-forestation, conservation

Accra, July 17, GNA - Ms. Lidi Remmelzwaal, the Dutch Ambassador in Ghana, has given the assurance that her country would continue to extend development assistance to Ghana for the implementation of its re-forestation and conservation programmes. In line with this, the Dutch envoy said the government would step up its support under the Natural Resources and Environmental Governance Programme (NREG) to bolster Ghana's efforts in sustainable management of her natural resources. A statement issued in Accra said the Ambassador was speaking during a courtesy call on the sector Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng Dappah in Accra.

The courtesy call, which was intended to update the Ambassador on progress on Dutch government-funded projects also provided a platform for the two of them to explore possible areas of collaboration between the two countries. Ms. Remmelzwaal announced that the Dutch government would make available an amount of $30m under the NREG in the 2009 financial year for disbursement on a number of conservation programmes prioritised by the government of Ghana. She therefore urged the Ministry to expedite action on the submission of its inputs for consideration by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

NREG is a donor funded facility which provides funding for government agencies including the Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development as well as the Lands, Forestry and Mines to pursue sustainable management programmes in selected communities across the country. Mrs. Obeng Dappah expressed appreciation to the Dutch government for the assistance extended to Ghana and said the support reflected the confidence of the Dutch government in the management of the economy.