News:
July 29, 2011
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry has expressed satisfaction with a plantation project at Essen Epan Forest Reserve in the Birim Central Municipality and appealed to the government to commit more resources to it.
The 400-hectare plantation, which was established between 2003 and 2010, has trees species such as Cedrela, Ofram, Ceiba and Emire.
Mr Albert Abongo, Chairman of the Committee, accompanied by members, inspected the plantation on Monday and said it was a good way to create jobs.
He said the committee was impressed with what was happening in the Forestry Sector adding “We need to maintain what we have done so far.”
Mr Abongo, the Member of Parliament for Bongo, appealed to the government to commit more resources to similar projects to create more jobs and also to serve as reforestation.
He expressed worry about the way illegal chainsaw operators are devastating the forest and said the government was putting in measures to curb it.
One of those measures is to empower fringe communities to go into other livelihood projects as snail and piggery rearing and mushroom production.
Mr Adjei Yeboah, MP for Tano South and Ranking Member of the Committee, appealed to the government to consider giving loans to farmers engaged in Taunga farming.
He also appealed to the government to release funds approved for the Forestry Commission on time to enable it to function effectively.
Members of the Committee included Mr Ofosu Asamoah, MP, for Kade, Reverend Dr Joses Asare-Akoto, MP, for Asugyaman and Mr Albert Zigah, MP for Ketu South.
Source : GNA