The Forestry Commission (FC) has inaugurated a Working Group tasked with developing Ghana’s Forest Protection Strategy (GFPS), a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening forest governance and tackling rising forest-related offences across the country.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Commission’s boardroom, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, academia, Civil Society Organisations, traditional authorities, security agencies, development partners, members of the FC Board, management and staff.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, described the initiative as timely and necessary in response to increasing cases of illegal logging, poaching, illegal mining and encroachment within forest reserves.

He noted that forest reserves, particularly in the Western North and Ashanti Regions, continue to face serious threats from unlawful activities and weak regulatory enforcement.

According to Dr. Brown, the mandate of the Working Group goes beyond preparing a policy document and includes developing a practical and enforceable strategy capable of protecting Ghana’s forests and natural resources.

He explained that the proposed strategy would seek to harmonise existing legislation, strengthen licensing and monitoring systems, improve inter-agency coordination and address institutional gaps affecting forest protection efforts.

The Working Group is chaired by Mr. Yaw Kwakye, Director of Operations (Natural Forest) at the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission.

Other members include representatives from A Rocha Ghana, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Timber Industry Development Division, climate and wildlife experts, traditional authorities and private sector stakeholders.

Board Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Isaac Essien, described the inauguration as a major step toward strengthening environmental governance in Ghana.

He stressed the importance of forests to biodiversity conservation, water security, climate regulation and national development, while expressing concern over increasing pressure on forest reserves from illegal mining, logging, wildfires and poor land-use practices.

“Forest protection cannot be the responsibility of the Forestry Commission alone,” he stated, calling for a collective national approach involving citizens, institutions and local communities.

Speaking on behalf of the Working Group, Mr. Yaw Kwakye assured stakeholders of the team’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive and consultative strategy within the 12-month timeline.

The forthcoming Forest Protection Strategy is expected to focus on reforestation, legal reforms, strengthened enforcement, community participation, landscape restoration and sustainable forest management systems aimed at reversing deforestation and protecting Ghana’s ecological resources.