- Ministry of Lands inaugurates nine-member Timber Monitoring Team
- Team to monitor all 288 forest reserves nationwide
- Focus on illegal logging, attacks on forestry officers, and forest sustainability
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched a nine-member Timber Monitoring Team to help combat illegal activities in Ghana’s forest reserves.
The team’s mandate is to oversee operations across all 288 forest reserves nationwide, with a focus on illegal logging, attacks on forestry personnel, and other practices that threaten the sustainability of the country’s forest resources.
Speaking at the inauguration on Monday, January 12, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah explained that the initiative aims to enhance intelligence gathering and enforcement within the reserves.
He highlighted that the large number of forest reserves makes it challenging for forestry authorities to have real-time awareness of activities on the ground.
“With 288 forest reserves, it is impossible for the Forest Commissioner to monitor everything at all times. Many situations require detailed intelligence,” the minister said.
Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah added that the Timber Monitoring Team will play a vital role in detecting illegal logging operations and responding swiftly to incidents, including attacks on forestry officers, in order to protect Ghana’s forest resources.
