Lands Ministry Reports Progress in Forest Restoration Efforts
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says Ghana is on course to achieve its 2025 target for restoring degraded forest reserves.
As of the end of October, over 26 million seedlings had been planted following the government’s reclamation of nine ‘red zone’ forest reserves previously under the control of armed groups. Minister Emmanuel Armah-Buah highlighted the positive impact of current policies.
“The work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Rapid Response Team from the Forestry Commission is beginning to bite hard on those perpetrating these crimes against our nation,” he said.
The Minister’s remarks were delivered by Prof. Jerry Samuel Yaw Kuma at the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Certificate in Natural Resources Management program held at the Forestry Commission Training Centre in Akyawkrom.
The importance of natural resources to Ghana’s development and the livelihoods of many families was underscored, even as illegal mining and destructive practices continue to threaten the country’s forests and ecosystems.
According to a report cited by Prof. Kuma, between 2020 and 2024, a total of 89,998 hectares of arable land – including vital forest reserves – was irrevocably lost, representing 9.14% of the total.
Projections indicate a further loss of 35,000 hectares by 2027, pushing the total proportion of destroyed farmland to 12.7%.
The Minister warned of serious repercussions if the trend continues. “Food production will decline by 25–30% over the next three years. Cocoa production has already dropped from 1.04 million tonnes in the 2020/21 season to 531,000 tonnes in 2023/24, a reduction of 48.9%,” he stated.
The graduation ceremony also addressed the long-standing challenge of recruiting qualified forest technicians following the closure of the Forestry Commission’s training school in Sunyani.
In 2024, the Commission partnered with the University of Energy and Natural Resources to launch a new program, admitting 67 students for its first intake.
Richard Kuutah Ninnoni, Acting Director of the Forestry Commission Training Centre (FCTC), emphasized the quality of training provided. “We expect you to exhibit excellence at work because you have been taught by the best,” he told the graduating class.
The second intake of the program saw an increase to 81 students, with the Commission subsidizing approximately 80% of their tuition fees.
The Ministry remains optimistic that these newly trained personnel will be instrumental in the restoration of Ghana’s forests. “This graduation ceremony shows that the Forestry Commission is determined to support government efforts to curb forest and wildlife degradation with quality human resources,” the Minister’s speech concluded.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
