Minister orders timber task force to stop operation

Sekondi (Western Region) 22 April

All timber task forces operating in the country are to cease operation with immediate effect, Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister of Lands and Forestry, has directed. She gave the directives on Wednesday to heads of departments under the Ministry during a two-day familiarisation tour of the Western Region.

The abolition of the timber task forces was necessary because instead of safeguarding the country's forests from the activities of illegal chain saw operators, they have rather encouraged them to deplete the forests, she said. The Minister expressed grave concern about malpractice, within some of the departments, with respect to the processing of land documents.

Dr. Amoako-Nuama said the malpractice in the processing of land documents have contributed to rampant land litigation. It has also led to some people putting up structures in unauthorised places. She warned that any member of staff caught indulging in any form of malpractice would be prosecuted.

Dr Amoako-Nuama advised the departments to use the media to educate the public on their operations and asked heads of departments to encourage good managerial practice to enable them stay on the job. To ensure efficiency in the departments, she said, the Ministry has initiated measures to transfer officers who have stayed at one station for several years.

Lieutenant Colonel Kaku Korsah, Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, called for the posting of more professional valuers to the districts.

The Minister later addressed workers of the Lands Commission, the Land Valuation Board, the Stool Lands Administration, the Forest Products Inspection Bureau (FPIB) and the Timber Export Development Board (TEDB) at separate meetings. She briefed the workers on the proposed Forest Commission and assured them that the transition would not worsen their plight.