Forestry Commission: Inadequate Logistics Hindering Fight Against Galamsey

The Forestry Commission in the Greater Accra Region has attributed its inability to combat illegal mining and other environmentally degrading activities to a lack of essential logistics, such as vehicles and motorbikes, at its district offices.

Additionally, the commission expressed concern that delays in the release of funds for forestry development activities have exacerbated the situation.

George Agbenowoshi, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, highlighted these challenges during a brief ceremony by Parliament ahead of a tree planting exercise. He noted, “Logistics such as pickup vehicles and motorbikes for our field operations and activities at the various district stations are lacking, which 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.”

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, assured in his address to procure a pickup vehicle and two motorbikes for the Forestry Commission to boost its operations.

“I want to promise the Forestry Commission that we will procure a pickup and two motorbikes to help facilitate your activities.”