By: Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has hinted that the government will continue to resource the Forestry Service Division, FSD, of the Forestry Commission to deliver its mandate of protecting the country’s forest reserves.
He also reminded the FSD officers of their core mandate of protecting the forest reserves in the country and urged them to deliver that mandate without fear or favour.
The Minister was speaking during the Commissioning of the FSD Eastern Regional Office in Koforidua.
He noted that the country has lost almost 80 percent forest reserves and in order to restore such reserves, the government has embarked on some major interventions to achieve such results.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey noted that his outfit will protect the forest reserves in the country in order to derive the necessary benefit. He revealed that the new edifice in Koforidua will manage seven forest districts in the region.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng where the chiefs urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to do everything within his capacity to stop galamsey in the region.
The Gyaasehene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Twumasi Danquah noted that the traditional authorities are with the minister in prayers to fight against illegal mining which is destroying the forest reserves and water bodies in the region and the country as a whole.
The Lands Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio, the Board Chairman of Forestry commission, Omanhene of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, Nana Tetrete Okuamoah among others.
