Global site navigation

Hundreds of forest guards would soon be recruited, and YEN knows why
Ghana

Hundreds of forest guards would soon be recruited, and YEN knows why

by  Aba Afful 2 min read

- Plans are underway to boost the staff strength of the security department of the Forestry Commission

- Concerns have been raised by stakeholders about the deplorable nature of our forest reserves

- The two – pronged plan was also designed to alleviate the challenge of unemployment in the country

Hundreds of forest guards would soon be recruited, and YEN knows why
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Amewu

The security department of the Forestry Commission (FC) may heave a sigh of relief soon, following an announcement of plans by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to recruit over four hundred forest guards to fill current vacancies. Their core task is to protect the country’s forest reserves.

Get the YEN app here: Google Play Store

This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Benito-Owusu-Bio. He revealed that clearance is being sought from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, before the exercise commences. He went on to state that this was necessitated by the shortage of forest guards whose duty was to protect the country’s forest cover.

This was revealed after the launch of a strategic plan and the inauguration of the Board of Tropenbos Ghana (TBG).

According to him, the shortage of guards has created an avenue for forest and wildlife crimes, especially, illegal logging.

READ ALSO: Nana Addo leaves Ghana for crucial UN Summit

“There are a lot of our people at home, so if you have more personnel, it would create employment and it’s about time we fill the gap”, he said

The menace of illegal chainsaw and ‘galamsey’ operators is a constant source of concern for the FC, as well as the Ministry.

Data from February 2011 to March 2013 indicate that the FC lost 62 of its guards, out of 120 who were attacked; vehicles belonging to the Commission were also vandalized.

Adding her voice, the Executive Director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), tasked all Ghanaians to ensure the environmental stability, as captured in Article 41(k) of the 1992 Constitution, especially in matters of mining and environmental degradation.

Do you have any tip, information or story to share? Get featured on YEN.com.gh! Contact us on Facebook and reach us via email at info@YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Aba Afful avatar

Aba Afful (Copyeditor) Maame Aba serves as a copy editor at YEN.com.gh. She naturally enjoys working with words and has an eye for quality content. She has a keen interest in cyberspace and wants to see YEN.com.gh produce more impactful, thought-provoking, and error-free content. Aba has five years of experience as a content writer, blogger, author, and proofreader. She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2017. She joined the team in 2021.

Hot: