Forestry manager urges collective action to protect Ghana’s forests
Boamey stressed that forest conservation is a shared responsibility, and without the support of local communities, efforts to restore and maintain the country’s forest cover may falter.
George Boamey, the Navrongo District Manager of the Forestry Services Division of the Forestry Commission, has called on the public to take active steps in protecting Ghana’s forests, highlighting the urgent need for tree planting and the safeguarding of forest reserves to ensure a sustainable environment.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, June 19, Boamey stressed that forest conservation is a shared responsibility, and without the support of local communities, efforts to restore and maintain the country’s forest cover may falter.
“The issue of tree planting is not just for the Forestry Commission – growing trees and then taking care of trees is the responsibility of every Ghanaian, and we need everyone on board. You will help us protect the forest, plant trees at your various homes and be able to minimise the kind of degradation that is going on in our community.”
According to Boamey, the Navrongo Division of the Forestry Commission is grappling with serious challenges that threaten forest sustainability in the area. prevalent among these issues are the widespread harvesting of firewood and illegal farming activities within protected forest zones.
“The challenges we have here have to do with the cutting of firewood and farming. These are the two major things that for my two-month stay in the Navrongo district.”
The impact of these activities, he noted, is far-reaching—not just for the environment but also for livelihoods and climate resilience. The degradation of forests contributes to changing weather patterns, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and the drying up of essential water bodies.
Boamey said the picture of the current state of Ghana’s forests is not encouraging, saying that the pace of destruction has outstripped restoration efforts.
“It is not encouraging because of the encroachment going on in our forests and all those kinds of things, it’s leaving the forest in jeopardy.”
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande
