The Forestry Commission in the Greater Accra Region has identified the lack of logistical support, including vehicles and motorbikes, at its district offices as a major obstacle in combating illegal mining and other degrading activities.
The commission also expressed concern over delays in the release of funds for forestry development activities, which has further compounded the situation.
Speaking at a brief ceremony organized by Parliament ahead of a tree-planting exercise, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, George Agbenowoshi, emphasized the challenges the Commission is facing.
“Logistics such as pickup vehicles and motorbikes for our field operations and activities at the various districts stations are challenging and we cannot…and that makes it difficult to fight forest offences in our forest reserves.
“These offenses include illegal mining activities, illegal farming, bushfires, illegal lumbering, illegal logging and chainsaw activities across the country.
“We also have the challenge of timely release of funds for forestry-related activities including plantation activities at our sector and issues sent to court have been there for years without redress. Issues of mining activities involving Chinese that take an interpreter to translate are often thrown out of court as a result of the lack of an interpreter.”
In his address, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin pledged to procure a pickup vehicle and two motorbikes for the Forestry Commission to enhance its operational capacity.
“I want to promise the Forestry Commission that we will procure a pickup and two motorbikes to help facilitate your activities.”