Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has inaugurated a five-member Forest Plantation Development Fund Management Board headed by Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II.

The members include Mr. Samuel Afari Dartey, Chief Executive Officer of Forestry Commission, Professor Bruce Banoeng Yakubu, Chief Director of Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ms Sylvia Nyante of Agricultural Development Bank and Naa Robbert Loga of Suntaa Nuntaa Agro-forestry, a non-governmental organisation.

The board has been constituted to oversee the successful implementation of the Forest Plantation Development Fund and to provide policy guidance, review progress of the programme and approve budgets for operational activities.

Alhaji Fuseini said the inauguration of the Board demonstrated government’s commitment and preparedness to reverse the rapid rate of forest depletion and environmental degradation.

He said in order to improve the livelihoods of the people; the Fund had been initiated to create massive employment through plantation establishment across the country.

The programme aims at planting trees as a means of creating jobs through tree seedling production, forest fire prevention, and to enhance Ghana’s efforts at reducing greenhouse gases emission.

The Minister tasked the board to oversee the smooth implementation of the programme by administering the fund, attracting contributions into the fund and putting the fund into proper use.

He also asked members to use their expertise to encourage investment in forest plantation development through incentives and any other benefits, facilitate best practices for optimum timber plantation establishment and management.

He told the board to promote a feasible scheme that supports related forest projects and to monitor the progress of the scheme to ensure compliance with the objects of the forest plantation development fund Act 583.

“I wish to entreat each member of the board to be dedicated and committed; to ensure that the targets set are achieved within the scheduled time frame,” he said.