An environmental NGO, A Rocha Ghana says the claim by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor on the ecological integrity of Ghana’s Forest Reserves being maintained despite several threats is a “moot point”.
Mr Jinapor had made the comment on the floor of Parliament in response to a question on the state of forest reserves in the country.
A Rocha Ghana says “forest reserves such as Krokosua, Sui River, Tano Suraw Extension, Afao Hills, Upper Wassaw, Anhwiaso West and East, Supuma Shelterbelt, Tano Offin, and Denyau Shelterbelt all appear to be lacking ecological integrity due to extensive damage”.
Also, this is coupled with “extensive damage from galamsey, tree felling and farming in some forest reserves yet to be restored”.
The NGO advocated the resourcing of the Forestry Commission to help address these illegal activities to ensure “transparency in the state of Ghana’s Forest Reserves is critical, especially as this will promote targeted restoration and reforestation actions.”
Click here to read full statement.