By Kodjo
Adams/William Fiabu, GNA
Accra, June 19, GNA – Mr Peter Amewu, the
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has urged the newly inaugurated board
members of the Forest Plantation Development Fund to be united and steer the
affairs of the fund.
He charged the Board to come up with ideas to
tackle the menace of illegal mining, which had engulfed the forest cover saying
‘you need to exhibit your energy to the highest ability.’
Mr Amewu said this in Accra at the
inauguration of an 11-member Board of the fund to oversee the successful
implementation of the Forest Plantation Development Fund and to provide policy
guidance, review progress of the programme and approve budgets for operational
activities.
The members include Nana Yaw Osei Barima,
Chairman of the Board, while the co-opted members are Mr Benson Oduro, Ms
Philomena Serwaa Akoto Sam, Mr George Donkor, Mr Charles Fynn, Mr Emmanuel
Bodja, and Mr Kenneth Kodjo Ayim.
The rest of the members are Mr Dennis Hiadzi,
Ms Sylvia Nyante, Dr Emmanuel Marfo and Professor Patrick Agbesinyale.
The Board members took the oath of secrecy,
office and secrecy administered by the Minister.
Mr Amewu said the plantation played a critical
role in the development of the country and urged them to come up with
strategies to deal with climate change, since the menace was caused by human
activities.
He said in order to improve the livelihoods of
the people; the Fund had been initiated to create massive employment through
plantation establishment across the country.
The programme aims at planting trees as a
means of creating jobs through tree seedling production, forest fire
prevention, and to enhance Ghana’s efforts at reducing greenhouse gases
emission.
He also asked members to use their expertise
to encourage investment in forest plantation development through incentives and
any other benefits, facilitate best practices for optimum timber plantation
establishment and management.
The Chairman pledged their commitment to work
to ensure compliance with the forest plantation development fund Act 583.
He said the Board would work to promote a
feasible scheme that supports related forest projects and as well monitor the
progress of the scheme.
GNA