“Young People to become agents of change” – Forestry Commission

ACCRA, 18 Nov (AIF SHOW, E.K.Bensah)-Mr. Yaw Kwakye of the Climate Change Unit at the Forestry Commission says he wants young people “to become agents of change” on climate change. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Africa in Focus Show recently, the Head of Climate Change said that to this end, a campaign, dubbed “REDD-eye” would be launched on 21 November at the headquarters as part of activities to sensitize the youth to become involved in fighting climate change.

Although the Forestry Commission has a mandate to protect resources of the country, and ensure posterity is left with, as Kwakye put it, “better forest endowment than we inherited”, they have spent an inordinate amount of time working on climate change – specifically REDD+.  An acronym for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, with the + representing activities that offer co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management and carbon stocks enhancement, REDD+ is an activity whose successful implementation will help reduce the impacts of climate change in developing countries like Ghana.

Yaw Kwakye believes forests are of immense benefits, and have both tangible and intangible benefits. The tangible ones include timber and timber products, with the intangible ones representing the wildlife, which provides an important “component of our food (protein), particularly for our forest-dependent communities”, he added. The problem, he went on, has been an over-harvesting of wildlife “to such an extent [they have been] unable to sustain wildlife population because of over-hunting.”

According to the Forestry Commission official, “the forest provides protection for water heads, which form sources of various important rivers in this country, including Atiwa Forest”, which serves 75 percent of the Greater Accra region.

Pressed on some of the planned activities, Mr.Kwakye said that there would be two major activities: the first is the “REDD Eye” Campaign. The other is the First National REDD+ Forum, which will be held on 25 November.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Climate Change Unit will together with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI), launch the REDD Eye campaign.  The idea of these two activities is to sell and secure buy-in for the REDD+ mechanisms from Ghanaians.

Scheduled for Saturday, 21 November, the objective of the campaign is to create awareness among the youth, who are considered future leaders of Ghana. By targeting them early, the Commission believes they can be sensitized to plant and nurture trees as one of the ways to mitigate climate change. Those invited included second-cycle schools and youth groups across the country. There will be presentations from youthful resource people on a number of climate change-related issues, including the impacts of it on Ghana; impacts of deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana; and an overview of REDD+ and Ghana's Emission Reduction programme.

There will ultimately be “REDD EYE” Clubs established in various schools, where sensitization, tree-planting and other REDD+ activities will be implemented to assist in the fight against climate change. There will also be a nation-wide campaign in all ten regions, which purpose would be to sensitize the youth on climate change.

The second most important activity is that of the first-ever National REDD+ Forum, which is organized by the National REDD+ Secretariat of the Forestry Commission, which aim is to climax activities to sensitize Ghanaians and obtain buy-in for the REDD+ mechanism
Planned for 25 November at the Accra International Conference Centre, the theme for the event is “Conserving our Forests for Better Lives and a Better Climate”.

On the bill as keynote speaker is Ghana's former president and the UN Special Envoy for Climate Change H.E. John Agyeman Kuffuor. The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr.Samuel Afari Dartey, will launch Ghana's National REDD+ Strategy, while Mr. Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of Unilever Ghana, will chair the event.

Some of the topics for discussion include “REDD+, the State of Play”; “National Efforts to Combat Climate Change”; the role of the private sector in addressing climate change; and mobilizing climate finance in Ghana. An interactive session will follow the presentations, where participants will obtain the opportunity to ask questions to resource people. There will also be an exhibition by REDD+ actors as a side event, including musical performances by Climate Change Ambassadors Okyeame Kwame and MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffuor (Obuor).

The event is open to the public, and Mr. Yaw Kwakye wants people to “think development; think sustainability; think REDD+!”

ENDs

Media advisory: XIV World Forestry Congress: 7-11 September, 2015

Durban, South Africa, 7–11 September 2015

Vision 2050 for forests and forestry – Launch of Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015

The need for governments, civil society and the private sector to boost investment in forests as a key to sustainable development will be the focus of the XIV World Forestry Congress taking place in Durban, South Africa, from 7 to 11 September 2015.

Under the theme Forests and People: Investing in a Sustainable Future, participants will discuss ways to unleash the full potential of forests to lift rural populations out of poverty, act as buffers against climate change and inspire new technologies and renewable products.

Ministers and heads of international and national agencies will be among several thousand people gathering for the Congress, which takes place every six years.

This year’s event is hosted by the Republic of South Africa with support from FAO, and marks the first time the Congress will be held on African soil since its inception in 1926.

Highlights include the launch of FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015, which will show how the world’s forests have changed over the last 25 years and provide the latest information on the state of sustainable forest management.

The Congress outcome, Vision 2050, is set to reinforce the contribution of forests and forestry to a sustainable future and help pave the road to a new climate change agreement at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December.

Main Congress proceedings will be in English, French and Spanish and will be webcast.

Key events Monday 7 September Opening of conference and high-level dialogue on the global forest agenda Prince Laurent of Belgium, Special Ambassador to FAO for Forests and the Environment, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African Union Commission, and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva are among high-level speakers confirmed so far. Launch of the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2015 The foremost global forest data assessment will reveal how the world’s forests have changed over the last 25 years. Updated every five years, FRA provides comprehensive information on the state of sustainable forest management, the percentage of forests lost and gained, and other trends by region, country, income category and climatic domain. Wednesday 9 September Launch of the Five-year Forests and Water Action Plan Worldwide, more than one in six people still do not have access to safe drinking water. As global demand for fresh water rises and water grows scarcer, the Five-year Forests and Water Action Plan will call for action in areas of science, policy, economics and forest practices. Thursday 10 September Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award 2015 The winner of the Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award 2015 will be announced at a special ceremony. The USD 20,000 prize was established by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests in 2012 and recognizes extraordinary efforts by an individual to improve and sustain forests and the people who depend on them. Friday 11 September Launch of Vision 2050 for forests and forestry The Congress outcome, Vision 2050, is set to strengthen the role of forests and forestry in sustainable development and pave the road to a new climate change agreement at the UNFCCC COP21 in Paris in December. source: http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/world-forestry-congress/press-kit/en/

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 25 November, 2014: 25th Edition SPECIAL: Celebrating the 25th Africa Industrialisation Day; and Unearthing Voices on Africa’s Development (1): “Seeing the Wood for the Trees”

25^th Edition SPECIAL:

Celebrating the 25^th Africa Industrialisation Day; and Unearthing Voices on Africa’s Development (1):

“Seeing the Wood for the Trees”

 Even as AIF is at the cusp of its 7^th month, 25^th November will be the 25^th Edition of the show.

This special edition is dedicating the first part of the show to seeing the wood for the trees around Ghana, and Africa’s industrialization policy. In the light of the furore around chairs in Ghana’s parliament being imported from China, we will be speaking to a member of Ghana’s furniture and wood association who will tell us why they issued a statement only last week about their concerns on aspects of Ghana’s industrial policy.

Still on wood, we will speak to Coordinator of ForestWatch, Samuel Mawutor, who will give us insights into the relationship between the Chinese and Ghana’s Rosewood, and what specific policies the government has adopted on how to save Rosewood from being exploited by the Chinese who import no less than 96% of that wood. What does the attitude around Rosewood tell us about Chinese attitudes over Ghana’s industrial policy, and the country’s fight against climate change?

Finally, in the second part of the show, we will commence what will be a series on unearthing voices on Africa’s development. What this means is that we will be speaking to professionals who hold robust views on aspects of Africa’s development. This can be on any topic, so we are starting off with Araba Arhin, who once worked with the West Africa Commission on Drugs,  and has deep insights into the sub-region’s fight against narcotics and drug trafficking.

We will switch gears to speak to a lady who has dedicated the better part of her career to bringing NGOs together in what is an-otherwise very competitive and territorial sector.  And, as always, we will not only get an update on Ebola from Kobby Blay, but actually be picking his brain on the way forward on Africa’s health.

Guiding Questions to be answered:

·        What is FAWAG, and its message to policymakers, including the government, on the way forward on Ghana’s industrialization?

·        Are the Chinese helping or hindering Ghana’s development?

·        Why is Rosewood important to Ghana, and the fight against climate change?

·        What were major outcomes of the four-day Forest Forum held last week?

·        What is West Africa Commission on Drugs doing to contribute to regional drug policy?

·        Why is the fight against drug trafficking in West Africa especially important?

·        Why do NGOs need to collaborate? And why is there a sense of urgency around working together?

·        How is the EbolaWatch campaigning to sustain the momentum on awareness-raising on Ebola?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Araba Arhin, translator, and former WACID official

Ø  Kobby Blay, Ebola Watch

On the line:

·        Enoch A Sackey, Office Manager, Furniture & Wood Products Association of Ghana(FAWAG) @13h20

·        Samuel Mawutor, Civic Response/Coordinator, ForestWatch @13h35

·        Nadia Zeine, Director, Wishes Alliance @14h00

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 18 November, 2014: Deforestation, Climate Change; and Matters Arising(3)

Climate Change; Deforestation; and Matters Arising(3)

 

There is now what some might consider compelling evidence of the planet warming up.  Evidence recently released by scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has shown that climate change is occurring at a faster rate than the world could ever have imagined.

Statistics from Ghana’s inventory of forestry stock indicate that Ghana has lost a chunk of its forest cover since 1994, despite the inevitable warming of the planet. It is believed that if sufficient attention is not given to redress this imbalance of loss of forest cover, the country will be all the worse for it. This is because lack of forest cover allows direct exposure of sunlight and the sun’s rays to dry up the already-polluted and fast-dwindling water –bodies.

Research indicates that developing countries are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as their livelihoods are highly-dependent on climate-sensitive sectors, such as agriculture. Given that Ghanaian peasant farmers practice rain-fed agriculture, depending on weather patterns for their farming, and tend to include slash-and-burn methods that prove to be unsustainable and harmful to the Earth’s atmosphere, this significantly-contributes to global warming. Consequently, Ghana has witnessed higher temperatures than normal, as well as inconsistent rainfall patterns.

One way in which Ghana has been trying to deal with this has been through the use of the REDD+ mechanism, which is being coordinated by the National REDD+ Secretariat of the Forestry Commission.

On 29 July, AIF commenced what would be a series of editions examining and understanding Ghana, and Africa's forestry sector.

Having established from that programme, and from the 23^rd September edition that reprised the issue of deforestation and climate change, that deforestation is a major issue in understanding the sector, we want to dedicate the 24th edition of Africa in Focus from the premise that apart from the fact that deforestation is an acknowledged challenge for the country, what is it that civil society groups like ABANTU are doing to sensitise Ghanaians about its impact on women.

Finally, in looking at the way forward, we will find out why Civil society organisation Civic Response is convening a National Forest Forum, and why it is important in facilitating governance on natural resources, and most importantly, helping nip deforestation in the bud!

Guiding Questions to be answered:

·        What do we still need to know about deforestation, and climate change, and some of the challenges associated with it in Ghana? (Forestry Commission/Forestwatch/ABANTU)

·        What were some of the outcomes of the Forestry Commission’s National Roadshow on REDD, and what is the way forward for the Forestry Commission?

·        What is the National Forest Forum, and how does it help facilitate governance on forests?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Robert Bamfo, Head of Climate Change Unit, Forestry Commission, Ghana

Ø  Ellen Eyison Dzah, Programmes Manager, ABANTU

On the line

Ø  Samuel Mawutor, Civic Response/ForestWatch @14h00

PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: Deforestation, Climate Change; and Matters Arising (23 September, 2014)

From Emmanuel K: "Dear friends, Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 23 September, which interrogated some important questions about climate change; deforestation; and how the media can help in demystifying these issues to draw greater attention to the fact that it remains a canker that all of us must unite to combat for the betterment of our nation; region; continent. As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; and "Africa in the News". We also had #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu. We look forward to comments! Kind regards, Emmanuel"" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 16 September, 2014: Deforestation, Climate Change; and Matters Arising

On 29 July, AIF commenced what would be a series of editions examining and understanding Ghana, and Africa's forestry sector.

 

Having established from that programme that deforestation is a major issue in understanding the sector, we want to dedicate the 18th edition of Africa in Focus from the premise that deforestation is an acknowledged challenge for the country.

As the UNECA and other international partners prepare to host the Fourth Conference on Climate Change  and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV) in Morocco in October, we want to also touch on the issue of climate change, by starting off with important questions on Ghana's state of preparedness on its commitments around climate change. Further, we look at the impact of climate change on deforestation, and interrogate whether there is any way out for Ghana?

Finally, we will look at the way forward, starting off with what the media can do better to engage all stakeholders, including the Forestry Commission and civil society, to carry the torch of climate change and anti-deforestation measures, such as REDD+, to the wider public so that every person buys into the fact that we are all important components in the developmental chain that helps address these problems.

Guiding Questions to be answered:

·        What do we need to know about deforestation, and climate change, and some of the challenges associated with it in Ghana? (OXFAM/Forestwatch)

·        Is there a continental response to combating deforestation in Africa? (Forestwatch)

·        What are some of the threats to reversing deforestation in Africa? (Forestry Commission/Forestwatch/ )

·        What are Kenya and Rwanda doing in responding to the challenges of the forestry sector?(Rwandan Development Board official)

*    How can the media help contribute to sensitising Ghanaians, Africans and forest communities on the critical role they play in demystifying deforestation and climate change?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Naana Nkansah Agyekum, OXFAM Ghana

Ø  Samuel Mawutor, ForestWatch

Ø  Forestry Commission official

On the line

Ø  Patrick Kwizera, Tour Guide, Rwanda

AIF Feature: A CRITICAL LOOK AT GHANA’S FORESTRY SECTOR

by Pamela Ofori-Boateng, AIF News Reporter 

The forestry sector in Ghana contributes about 6% to GDP which provides over 100,000 people with jobs in the informal sector.In our communities about 2.5 million people depend on forest products such as mushrooms, firewood, snails and grass cutter  but this same sector is faced with a number of challenges, which will weaken it if not dealt with.

Mr. Kwame Mensah, a member of Forest Watch Ghana and a coordinator of KASA initiative, stated that Ghana has lost a significant portion of its forest reserve due to weak governance and poor law enforcement in the sector. “Though we have the best laws governing the sector, its implementation is weak.” He added.

“We also have outmoded laws which do not impact on the current forestry issue that we are facing. Another challenge in this sector is the conflicting policies that fight against the Forestry Commission of Ghana in their effort to effectively manage the forest reserve. Frequent government interference does not allow the Forestry Commission to work effectively.

When it comes to sharing proceeds from the forest, the community members who takes care of the forest do not benefit. According to Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA), companies who use the forests for businesses are supposed to use 5% of their proceeds for developmental projects in the various communities i which they operate but because members of the community are not aware of this benefit most companies do not pay and sometimes when they pay it ends up in the wrong hands.  

The Forestry Commission is faced with difficulties in executing their duties since the commission acts as a manager,a  regulator and a law enforcer which is too much of a burden. The Forestry Commission should only work as a regulator of the Forestry Sector to make their work much easier and effective.”

Mr.Mensah said that the Forestry Commission is educating people on our Forest reserve but the commission should increase their efforts in holding  educational programmes to sensitize the general public and especially people living in forest communities about their rights, responsibilities and the benefits that they are supposed to enjoy from the proceeds from the forest

“If members of the communities do not benefit directly from the resources,they are definitely going to find indirect means to benefit.We should put measures in place that will motivate community people to report deviants who indiscriminately cut trees for their personal gain.”

Mr.Kwame Mensah made these revelations on the “Africa In Focus" Show on Radio XYZ hosted by Emmanuel K.Bensah.The Forestry Commission was invited to take part in the discussions but was not able to honour the invitation.

ENDs

PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: "Understanding the Forestry Sector; and Eco-Tourism" (29 July, 2014)

From Emmanuel K: "Kindly find a podcast of the 29 July edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that: "With the AU having signed an MOU with the UN World Tourism Organisation a few weeks ago to help use tourism to eradicate poverty in Africa, we will use the 11th edition of AIF to interrogate the extent to which Africa can overcome its developmental challenges using best practices from selected countries on facilitating tourism that includes a recognition of improved sanitation and a sustainable environment. " **Questions to be answered:** • What do we need to know about the Forestry sector, and some of the challenges associated with it in Ghana? (Forestwatch) • Is Ghana ready for Ecotourism at the scale of other African countries? (Forestwatch) • Is there a continental response to forestry sector in Africa? (Forestwatch) • What are some of the threats to forestry sector in Africa? (Forestwatch) • Do we have a sufficiently-sustainable environmental sector that will stimulate Ecotourism? (ForestWatch/Civic Response) • What is Kenya doing in responding to the challenges of the forestry sector?( Kenyan Forestry Service)" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 29 July, 2014: "Understanding the Forestry Sector in Ghana & Africa; and EcoTourism"

The Forestry sector is not necessarily a topic that elicits much excitement in general discourse of a country’s development. Compared to other sectors like international trade; FDI; labour issues; and education, one could be forgiven for thinking the latter elements are all that a country needs for its development.

But even if we were to forget the very important impact of climate change on our environment in general, and our forests in particular, none of us can ever forget the essence of forests to any country’s development. For some African countries, forests are a luxury, but in countries like Ghana, Kenya; and Rwanda, they are considered very important sectors. It is not only about the way in which they offer the potential of green belts for the countries. It is also about how forests offer climate regulation; water; and natural hazard prevention.

Let’s put it this way: consider a country without forests. One study in Kenya, for example, showed that deforestation causes a severe blow to its economy: in 2010, the total net cumulative effect of deforestation was a loss of nearly US$19 million, which had a huge multiplier effect on the rest of the economy. It further affects Kenya’s water yield and water-dependent sectors, as well as a range of other economic sectors, such as agric; forestry; and fishing; electricity and water; hotels and accommodation; and the public administration and defence sectors. Altogether, these contributed between 33-39% to GDP between 2000 and 2010.

There is no gainsaying that the link between a sustainable environment (where trees and forests abound) and Eco-tourism is clear. Add to this the claim by Forestwatch, a civil society organization working within the forestry sector, that Ghana has some of the most antiquated laws (some dating as far back as the 19^th century!), and one begins to wonder how Ghana can counter this perfect storm of challenges to developing tourism to the potential that countries like Kenya and Rwanda have been able to.

With the AU having signed an MOU with the UN World Tourism Organisation a few weeks ago to help use tourism to eradicate poverty in Africa, we will use the 11^th edition of AIF to interrogate the extent to which Africa can overcome its developmental challenges using best practices from selected countries on facilitating tourism that includes a recognition of improved sanitation and a sustainable environment.

To this end, we will be speaking to a representative from CSO working in the sector; representatives from the Forestry Commissions of Ghana; Kenya; and Rwanda; and speaking to a representative from a Ghanaian-based travel and tour company on what Ghana ought to do to take Ghana’s tourism potential to the heights that East African countries in Kenya and Rwanda have been able to do.

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Kwame Mensah, ForestWatch

Ø  Francis Agyemang, Commercial Director, Eurotours

Ø  Reverend David Kpelle, Manager of Commercial Development Unit/ Coordinator in charge of EcoPark Development Unit. Forestry Commission, Ghana

On the line:

Ø  Samuel Mawutor, ForestWatch/Civic Response  @ 13h50

Ø  Charity Muthonin, Kenya Forestry Service  @ 14h10

Ø  Telesphore Ngoga, Rwanda Development Board @ 14h30

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com.

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