Upper East Regional Minister, Hon Stephen Yakubu has praised the Forestry Commission (FC) for its effective management of forest reserves in the country.
He also implored the Commission to apply research methodologies to discourage tree felling, and find alternative means for people whose livelihoods depended on forest reserves.
“I want the Commission to shift from the old ways of doing things to a different approach so that in the next five to ten years, the forest cover will improve,” he told staff of the FC when its Deputy Chief Executive, Mr. Nelson Nyadia Suleman called on him.
Mr. Suleman was on a working visit to the Region as part of preparations towards the Green Ghana Day in June 2022.
Hon. Yakubu expressed concern about the depletion of the forest; felling of economic trees such as shea nuts and dawadawa trees for fire wood and charcoal, and cautioned that if nothing was done to check the trend, there would be no trees in the next few years.
He attributed the recent rainstorms that ripped off roofs of some structures in the Region to inadequate trees dotted around, and urged residents to plant more trees and desist from felling the few trees around to protect the environment.
Mr. Suleman on his part, thanked the Minister for his support and attention towards the Commission in the region to enable them achieve their mandate.
He said efforts were underway to pay some striking staff of the Commission to fully engage in the upcoming Green Ghana Day, and appealed to the Minister to ensure the Day was properly observed in the Region.
The Upper East Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah assured staff of Commission of the Regional Coordinating Council’s support to organize a successful programme in June.