UK Pledges Support to Ghana’s Fight Against Forest Crimes
The Government of the United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s forests as part of its longstanding commitment to supporting sustainable forest governance and conservation.
During the inauguration and handing over of ten Forest Protection Camps and two checkpoint accommodation facilities at the Oda River Forest Reserve near Numereso in the Ashanti Region, the Acting Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr. Terri Sarch, stated that the newly commissioned forest protection camps would strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and rapid response operations within forest reserves while supporting frontline officers and forest-fringe communities.
She noted that illegal mining, illegal logging, and encroachment continue to pose serious threats to biodiversity, water resources, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Dr. Sarch also commended the Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders for their collaboration in implementing the initiative.
For his part, the Chief Executive of the FC, Dr. Hugh Brown, described the project as a major milestone in strengthening frontline forest protection and enforcement operations.
He noted that the partnership had enhanced the Commission’s institutional capacity through logistics support and policy reforms, adding that the camps would improve rapid response operations, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordination among security agencies, local communities, and traditional authorities.
Dr. Brown disclosed that illegal mining and logging had degraded thousands of hectares of forest reserves across the Ashanti, Western North, Ahafo, and Bono Regions, stressing that increasingly sophisticated forest crimes involving organised networks and armed resistance made permanent protection camps an operational necessity.
He further called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard Ghana’s remaining forest resources.
The event was chaired by Nana Boapim Benko II, Twafohene of Bekwai in charge of Numereso, on behalf of Nana Osei Kwadwo Ababio, Omanhene of Bekwai.
He described the establishment of the forest protection camps as a crucial intervention for safeguarding Ghana’s forests and wildlife resources for future generations.
He condemned illegal activities within forest reserves, pledged support for bringing offenders to justice, and called for stronger collaboration between the security agencies and the Forestry Commission to intensify efforts against forest crimes.
Mr. Isaac Essien, Chairman of the FC Board, who read a speech on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom Government for its continued support towards Ghana’s environmental protection efforts.
He noted that the newly inaugurated camps and checkpoint facilities would strengthen conservation efforts through enhanced surveillance, rapid response operations, and a stronger deterrent against forest crimes.
The ceremony also featured the official handing over of the facilities from the British High Commission to the Forestry Commission, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Dr. Sarch, Mr Isaac Essien Esq. and Dr Hugh Brown.
There were cultural performances and a performance by the Youth Forest Champions, who demonstrated their readiness to support forest protection and enforcement efforts.
The ten camps and two checkpoints have been established across key forest reserves in the Ashanti and Western Regions to strengthen forest governance and enforcement operations.
The facilities are located within the Subri River, Apamprama, Oda River, Offin Shelterbelt, Buru, Maluwe, and Nsadweso Forest Reserves, strategically positioned near surrounding communities to support rapid response against illegal mining, illegal logging, and forest encroachment.
In the Ashanti Region, camps have been established within the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Nkawie District and the Apamprama and Oda River Forest Reserves in the Bekwai District, while the Western Region hosts facilities within the Subri River Forest Reserve in the Takoradi District.
Additional checkpoint accommodation facilities have also been provided at Babatokuma and Maluwe to support sustained surveillance, monitoring, and forest protection operations.
The inauguration of the forest protection camps and checkpoint facilities marks a significant step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen forest governance, protect biodiversity, and combat environmental crimes.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the enhanced frontline infrastructure, coupled with sustained collaboration between Ghana, the United Kingdom, local communities, and security agencies, would reinforce efforts to safeguard the country’s forest reserves and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources for future generations.
The initiative, undertaken under the UK-Ghana Forest Governance Partnership through the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Ghana’s Forestry Commission (FC), forms part of broader efforts to combat illegal logging, illegal mining, forest encroachment, and support sustainable forest management and climate resilience.
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