The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a nine-member National Timber Monitoring Team tasked with curbing forest reserve encroachment and clamping down on illegal activities within Ghana’s timber sector.
The team, drawn from the Forestry Commission and key security agencies, is expected to strengthen nationwide oversight of timber operations, ensure strict compliance with forestry regulations, and promote sustainable forest management.
The Minister administered the Oaths of Office and Allegiance to the members during the inauguration ceremony.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah explained that the establishment of the team forms part of government’s broader strategy to protect Ghana’s forest resources while enhancing revenue generation for the state.
He noted that illegal logging and persistent encroachment have over the years undermined both the country’s environmental sustainability and its economic prospects.
“The protection of our forest reserves is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative. By reducing illegal practices, we can secure jobs, preserve biodiversity, and increase revenue for national development,” the Minister said.
He cautioned members of the team to uphold the law and avoid being compromised, urging them to strictly enforce forestry regulations rather than become entangled in the very illegalities they are expected to combat.
The National Timber Monitoring Team will work closely with district forestry offices, traditional authorities, and local communities to ensure effective enforcement and intelligence-sharing across forested areas.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Alhaji Mohammed Dotsu, Director of the National Timber Monitoring Team, pledged the members’ commitment to diligently carry out their mandate and contribute to the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest resources.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, highlighted the growing severity of illegal logging and forest encroachment, describing them as serious threats to both personnel and national assets.
He cited incidents in which Forestry Commission officers were kidnapped in Dormaa in the Bono Region, underscoring the urgency and importance of establishing a dedicated monitoring team to curb forest infractions nationwide.
