Government asked to factor sustainable use of forest into development agenda

Government should incorporate the principles of sustainable use of the forest into the country’s over all development agenda to reverse the degradation of the environment, Togbe Mawufeame Fugah, President, Anloga Carpenters Union, has stated.

He said the majority of the population depended on natural resources for their livelihood hence “if we do not work hard to ensure a more effective conservation and planning of those resources” the welfare and quality of life of the people would be adversely affected.

Togbe Fugah, who was addressing a meeting of the Union in Kumasi, stressed the need to also strengthen information and monitoring systems for the forestry sector.

This, he said, would help to create the enabling conditions in raising the profile of the sector by increasing the awareness on the socio-economic potentials inherent in good management and usage of forest resources.

In addition, the propensity of the people to damage forest resources, especially communities living close to them through malpractices would also be minimized.

Togbe Fugah urged members of the Union to participate fully in all the activities lined-up to commemorate the first anniversary of their relocation to the Sokoban Wood Village.

The anniversary, which falls on 26th October this year, is on the theme; “sustaining the forest through strategic management”, and is under the patronage of the Wood Village Association.

Some of the activities lined up include tree planting, exhibition, seminar on sustainable forest management and fun games.

Togbe Fugah said he was convinced that the anniversary would enhance the sense of oneness among the working groups at the Village comprising lumber sellers, carpenters, machine owners and operators.

Source: GNA