GHANA'S FOREST GUARDS TO CARRY WEAPONS-FC CEO

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The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie has disclosed that government has given approval for the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission to carry weapons to protect the forest cover. 

He said, for far too long, the forest guards have come under attack and in certain instances, some seriously hurt. 

Addressing the seventh Forestry Week at Sakra Wonoo in the Kwabre East district in the Ashanti region, Mr. Owusu Afriyie said the commission will not allow the selfish interest of some individuals to make the county suffer. 

The Forestry week celebration was carved of the United Nation International day of Forests to create awareness and also protect the forest cover. Ghana has chosen the month of June for the country’s celebration. 

Mr. Owusu Afriyie said government’s approval for the Rapid Response Unit to carry weapons is as a result of numerous attacks the staff have come under.

 He said 54 thousand illegal lumbers have been arrested with a number of them facing prosecution. He said 14 chainsaw operators have also been arrested and fined.
 He said the courts are also helping in protecting the forest.


The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, directed the Forestry Commission to resource the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to embark on massive tree planting to restore the depleted forests.


The Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah called on estate developers to stop paving their facilities and rather plant trees to help in the greening Ghana Project.

 Mr. Osei Mensah said Ghana’s Forest cover, which used to be eight point-two million hectares, has been depleted to one point-six million hectares which is not good for human survival. 

He called for a conscious and concerted effort by all to restore the forest cover of the country which has been depleted due to urbanization.

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