New Forestry Commission Board Sworn In, Charged with Tackling Illegal Mining and Environmental Threats

 

A newly constituted governing Board for the Forestry Commission of Ghana has been officially inaugurated, tasked with the critical mission of leading the nation’s efforts to combat illegal mining and address other pressing threats to Ghana’s forests and wildlife.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, emphasized the Board’s essential role in enhancing governance and promoting sustainability within the forestry sector. During his address, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources underscored the vital importance of forests to Ghana’s economy, environment, and the livelihoods of rural communities. He voiced his concern over the escalating pressures posed by illegal mining (galamsey), uncontrolled logging, wildfires, and other destructive activities, which continue to degrade Ghana’s invaluable natural resources.

“Our vision is clear—to manage Ghana’s forests and wildlife sustainably for present and future generations,” the Minister affirmed. “With this highly capable Board now in place, we are confident that the Forestry Commission will rise to these challenges with renewed vigor and determination.”

The Forestry Commission is legally mandated to protect, manage, and develop Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources while ensuring their responsible and sustainable utilization. The new Board’s core responsibilities include ensuring good governance and operational efficiency within the Commission, providing strategic policy direction, meticulously monitoring performance and compliance, and fostering strong engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

The Minister outlined the Board’s immediate priorities, charging them to focus on Combating illegal mining in protected forest reserves through proactive advocacy and enhanced enforcement measures, improving the welfare of Forestry Commission staff through thoughtful and effective policy reforms, streamlining business processes within the timber and wildlife trade sectors to promote efficiency and transparency and securing sustainable and diversified financing sources to support long-term sector growth and resilience.

“With your combined expertise and steadfast leadership, I am exceedingly optimistic about the transformative impact you will bring,” the Minister added. The Deputy Minister, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, similarly assured the Board of the Ministry’s unwavering support, urging them to execute their duties with the utmost diligence for the lasting benefit of Ghana and its citizens.

Board Chairman, Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in the newly appointed team and pledged to provide proactive and visionary leadership. “We fully recognize the gravity of our task, and while the challenges before us are undoubtedly daunting, they are certainly surmountable. This Board will not simply engage in deliberations within meeting rooms; we will actively work on the ground alongside forest guards to reclaim and protect our precious forests,” he affirmed, signaling a commitment to direct action.

The newly inaugurated Board comprises a diverse group of experts drawn from academia, traditional leadership, industry, and civil society. The members are Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio – Chairman, Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown – Executive Director, Forestry Commission, Kumbun Na Yiri II – National House of Chiefs Representative, Richard Duah Nsenkyire – Timber Trade & Industry Representative, Tetteh-Hey Omani Osae – Wildlife Trade Industry Representative, Dr. Abubakari Nantogmah Attah, Esq. – Ghana Institute of Professional Foresters Representative, Dominic Kwasi Nyanzu – NGO Representative, Surv. Raphael Hokey, Esq. – Lands Commission Representative, Brig Gen (Rtd) Dr. Albert Kabenlah Adu – Financial & Managerial Expert, Nana Kojo Toku – Member, and Hon. Mavis Kukuaa Bissue, MP (Ahanta West Constituency) – Member

The Minister, acting on behalf of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, formally declared the Board.