PRESS RELEASE FROM GHANA's FORESTRY COMMISSION: "CLOSE SEASON 2015"

PRESS RELEASE

“CLOSE SEASON 2015”

Wildlife has been the source of our heritage and livelihoods. It plays a very important role in the development of a nation particularly Africa and Ghana for that matter. It features prominently in festivals, the arts, drama, folklore and serves as totems. It also provides animal protein in the diet of many people, ranging from insects through reptiles to mammals. Additionally, access to bushmeat provides an important safety net for most rural people in times of economic stress.

Wildlife also plays an important role in Ghana’s tourism industry, and there is undoubtedly a great potential for future development of ecotourism centered on the country’s national parks and reserves.

Nevertheless, wildlife is being over hunted and it is reaching a point where the dwindling number of animals is threatening the food security of both rural and urban communities, survival of the species and the integrity of Ghana as a signatory to international conventions. This state of affairs has been mainly due to non- observance of the rules and regulations governing hunting of wild animals coupled with inadequate support from the law enforcement agencies to assure sustainable uses of wildlife.

One of the measures to regulate hunting and ensure sustainable use of the resource is the institution of a CLOSE SEASON that begins from August 1^st to December 1^st every year. This is the period where most wild animals, particularly mammals, such as Duiker, Bush pig, Honey badger, Pangolin, Porcupines and Royal antelope to mention but a few, are being followed by their young . It is therefore, imperative that the animals are given a respite from hunting to wean their young for a successful recruitment into the next generation. Non-observance of the close season therefore, undermines the very existence of wild animal populations and deprives Ghanaians of a valuable resource for sustainable development. Only grasscutters are exempt from the Close Season but license has to be obtained to hunt it.

It must, however, be emphasised that not all the animals produce their young and wean them within the four months in question. The gestation period for elephant for instance is 22 months, Bongo: 9.5 months, Red River Hog: 4-5 months, Yellow backed duiker, Black duiker (Forest Duikers): 7-8 months, and Bush buck: 6-7 months. Therefore, to find a generic CLOSE SEASON for all animals is impossible because that will mean a total ban on hunting the whole year round. It is in this vein that by L.I.685 it is an offence for anybody to hunt, capture or destroy any young animals or female animal accompanied by their young.

Our appeal therefore is that all hunters, be they professional, trophy, leisure and dealers in the wildlife enterprise to temporarily stop their activities during the close season and also be circumspect during the open season.

What we look forward to from the public is that people will not patronise the sale of all bushmeat, dead, alive or smoked except for grasscutters so that hunters will find it uneconomical to hunt these animals for the expected aim to be achieved.

We are  again appealing to all Ghanaians especially, the police to arrest and prosecute such offenders by notifying the nearest Wildlife Division and Forestry Commission Offices or the Executive Director, Wildlife Division on Tel. 028-9109683/ 028-9115499, Accra.

Signed by:

Executive Director

Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission

For further information contact

Corporate Affairs & Media Relations Unit

Forestry Commission

P.O Box 434, Ministries

Accra

0244-643780 / 0244-090974

PODCAST>>EPISODE #25:Celebrating the 25th Africa Industrialisation Day; and Unearthing Voices on Africa’s Development (1):

EPISODE #25

Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr

Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr 

LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c2xx1mms258001m/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%2025-11-14.mp3?dl=0

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 25 November, 2014. 

We spent some 15 minutes getting a quick update from Enoch A Sackey, Office Manager, of Furniture and Wood Association of Ghana(FAWAG)  on why it remains an important association on which government should rely upon to deliver high-quality furniture for even Ghana's parliament.

We spent the 25th edition of the show looking at two important issues: the first part of the show was on the theme of the 25th anniversary of Africa Industrialisation Day, which was celebrated on 20th November around the world. It is for this reason we spoke to FAWAG. We followed that interview with one of Samuel Mawutor, of Civic Response/FORESTWATCH to give us a summary of some of the major outcomes from the four-day Forest Forum that was held last week in Accra. We touched on the issue of Rosewood, and examined the reasons why government had banned its export, and why the Chinese were so interested in it.

As part of the show's series unearthing robust voices in Africa's development, we spoke to a former official of the West Africa Commission on Drugs, Mrs. Araba Arhin, who served as a Coordinator on a short-term project under the Commission at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre(KAIPTC).  Araba gave us a refreshing insight into drug policy dynamics in the sub-region, and proffered a way forward, including the need for the sub-region to own its problems.

We look forward to comments!

In solidarity!

Emmanuel"

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

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.

Contact us Facebook on:

http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on #MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!

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