The government has taken a fresh step to clamp down on illegal logging with the inauguration of a National Timber Monitoring Team, amid growing concerns about the rapid destruction of Ghana’s forest resources through chainsaw operations and unauthorised timber activities.
At a ceremony to inaugurate the nine-member team, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said Ghana’s forests remain a vital national asset but are under sustained threat from illegal exploitation. He explained that the new team forms part of broader efforts to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across the timber value chain.
According to the Minister, the team is mandated to oversee timber harvesting, transportation and trade, while working closely with the Forestry Commission, security agencies and relevant local authorities to ensure strict compliance with forestry laws. He stressed that protecting forest resources cannot be left to a single institution.
“Forest protection is a shared responsibility, and this team must serve as the eyes and ears of the nation. Officers must not be compromised in the discharge of their duties,” he emphasized.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, said the battle against illegal logging has persisted for decades, despite various interventions. He revealed that the situation has at times turned dangerous for forestry officials on the ground.
Dr. Brown disclosed that in recent years, some forest officers were kidnapped by illegal chainsaw operators and only released after seized trucks were returned. He described the development as alarming but expressed confidence that the establishment of the National Timber Monitoring Team would reinforce ongoing efforts to protect forest reserves.
The Chairman of the National Timber Monitoring Team, Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku, expressed appreciation to the Minister and the Forestry Commission for the trust placed in the team. He acknowledged the risks associated with the assignment but assured that members are committed to supporting the national fight against illegal logging.
He said the team would prioritise closing existing monitoring gaps, improving intelligence gathering and deepening collaboration with key stakeholders to enhance enforcement.
“The task ahead is difficult, but we are determined to deliver on our mandate,” Alhaji Doku said.
He further appealed to the general public and forest fringe communities to support the work of the team and reject illegal activities that continue to degrade Ghana’s forest resources.
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