The Deputy Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, George Agbenowoshi, recently shed light on some of the difficulties encountered by the Commission in carrying out its mandate. Speaking at a ceremony organized by Parliament to mark the 2024 Green Ghana Day, Mr. Agbenowoshi highlighted several key challenges that are hampering the Commission's efforts to protect the country's forest reserves.
One of the major issues raised by Mr. Agbenowoshi is the legal hurdles faced in prosecuting Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey. He pointed out that the lack of interpreters often leads to cases being dismissed, as the language barrier makes it difficult to effectively pursue legal action. This not only undermines the Commission's enforcement efforts but also sends a message of impunity to perpetrators.
In addition to the legal challenges, Mr. Agbenowoshi also lamented the inadequate logistics that are essential for the Commission's field operations. The lack of pickup vehicles and motorbikes hampers their ability to effectively patrol and monitor forest reserves, making it harder to combat various forest offenses, including illegal mining, farming, and logging.
Furthermore, Mr. Agbenowoshi emphasized the issue of timely release of funds for forestry-related activities, including plantation efforts. The delay in funding not only hampers the Commission's ability to carry out essential activities but also hinders its capacity to respond promptly to emerging challenges.
It is evident that these challenges are impeding the Forestry Commission's crucial role in safeguarding Ghana's forest resources. Illegal activities such as galamsey, illegal farming, and logging pose significant threats to the country's natural heritage and must be addressed with urgency.
Efforts should be made to address the identified issues, including ensuring adequate provision of interpreters for legal proceedings involving foreign nationals, improving logistics support for field operations, and streamlining the process for funding allocation to the Commission.
The protection of Ghana's forest reserves is paramount, and addressing these challenges is vital in ensuring sustainable management and conservation of this valuable natural resource.
It is our hope that the relevant authorities will take heed of these concerns and take decisive actions to support the Forestry Commission in overcoming these obstacles. Only through concerted efforts and support can we effectively preserve and protect Ghana's forests for future generations.
-source citinewsroom | curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
