The government of Ghana has been asked to urgently repeal the country’s Environmental Protection Regulation, LI 2462, which has been described as counter-productive to innovative solutions to managing forest reserves.
The
legislative instrument, in its current form and intent, means no forest reserve
in Ghana is exempted from mining if deemed to be in the interest of the state
as determined by the President.
“This
implies that, even Ghana’s most sensitive forest areas protected by Acts of
Parliament and international conventions that Ghana has signed onto, can no
longer be deemed secured,” said a statement by Tropenbos Ghana in commemoration
of International Day of Forests.
In the
spirit of this year’s theme “Forests and innovation: New Solutions for a Better
World”, there is a call on governments, forest resource managers, and other
state and non-state actors to initiate, and ensure effective implementation of
innovative actions in order to optimally realize forests’ potentials and
associated benefits in a sustainable manner.
The
environmental research organization is also demanding the immediate reversal of
the directive from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to the Forestry
Commission to grant permits to timber harvesting companies to log in Globally
Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs).
“These
forest reserves host endangered species and as such, must be protected,”
the statement emphasized.
For most
developing countries in the tropics, forests and associated resources are
deemed the single most important resource base that propels sustainable
development, and general wellbeing of the masses.
According to
Project Manager of Tropenbos Ghana, Boakye Twumasi Ankra, this can be realized
when the right policies, regulations and practices are initiated, instituted,
and effectively enforced.
He expects
the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to be transparent, and accountable
to Ghanaians on degazetted portions of Achimota forest reserve.
“Since the
degazetting, there has been limited public engagement on actions that are being
taken to ensure the sustainable management of the forest. Amidst reported
instance of illegal entry, it is our strong conviction that, the MLNR should
make public the procedure for degazetting portions of the forest, allocations
that are being or will be made, beneficiaries, management, and investment
practices particularly in relation to surrounding ecosystem,” said the
statement.
Wildlife
Resources Management Bill
There is
also a call for the President to as a matter of urgency give assent to the
Wildlife Resources Management Bill, upon receipt, which among other things
consolidates laws related to wildlife and protected areas.
Passed by
Parliament on July 28, 2023, the bill is yet to have Presidential assent;
delaying its enforcement.
“This holds
the potential to cause no action on key regulatory propositions and
interventions that are outlined in the bill. It is therefore important for
parliament to expedite action on all processes that are needed to be undertaken
prior to submission to the office of the president for his assent,” said
Tropenbos.
There are
also recommendations for the MLNR and the Forestry Commission to improve
adoption of technology and internet-based solutions into forest management.
By Kofi Adu
Domfeh
No comments:
Post a Comment