Hon. Ibrahim Issahak DCE Of Atwima Mponua, Inaugurated New Operational Camp At The Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve.

The Forests Manager, Mr. Abraham Essel, and his team from the Nkawie District of the Forestry Commission, which has responsibility for the four forest reserves within Atwima Mponua, to inaugurate a new operational camp at the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve.

The camp will serve as a base for specially trained forest guards, popularly known as “Junglers,” who will be deployed to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid response to illegal activities within our forest reserves.

The establishment of the camp is an important intervention aimed at:

* Strengthening intelligence gathering within the forests;

* Monitoring the health and condition of forest resources;

* Intensifying the fight against illegal mining;

* Supporting forest restoration and reservation activities;

* Improving visibility and response to illegal activities;

* Deepening collaboration with landowners, chiefs and other stakeholders; and

* Protecting and improving the forest ecosystem.

The Forestry Commission also outlined clear Standard Operating Procedures to guide the operations of the camp.

These include continuous collaboration with chiefs, opinion leaders and members of the Protected Areas Management Committee, as well as the use of grievance-redress mechanisms to address concerns and disputes that may arise.

Importantly, the success of this initiative cannot be achieved by the Forestry Commission alone. I therefore called on communities surrounding our forest reserves to see themselves as partners in this important undertaking and to offer the Junglers the necessary support, information and cooperation to enable them to protect our forests effectively.

I was particularly encouraged by the commitment expressed by the Chief of Ampemkro, who pledged the support of the community towards the protection and improvement of the forest within their jurisdiction.

Our forests are a priceless natural heritage. they protect our water bodies, support biodiversity, regulate our environment and provide livelihoods for generations. We must therefore do everything within our collective capacity to prevent their depletion and destruction.

I commend the Forestry Commission and all stakeholders for this important initiative.

Together, we can protect our forests today and preserve them for generations yet unborn.

End.