All sixteen (16) Regional Managers of the Forest Services Division of the Commission have moved, and Mr. Hugh C. Brown, Executive Director of the Forest Services Division, has been reassigned as an Advisor on Forestry to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. This has resulted in a significant shake-up at the Forestry Commission.
According to the government, these changes are necessary to ensure the Forestry Commission is dynamic and focused, particularly the Forest Services Division, which supports the government's flagship afforestation and reforestation programme, as well as to ensure effective management and use of our forest resources.
The development, preservation, and management of the nation's forest resources are the responsibilities of the Forest Services Division, one of the divisions of the Forestry Commission. Additionally, it is in charge of establishing forest plantings and governing the management of forest resources.
The nation's forest resources are constantly being depleted, which is a serious worry. To replace the nation's lost forest cover and help slow down climate change, the government began the Green Ghana Project last year as part of a vigorous afforestation and restoration campaign. According to the Forestry Commission, more than seven million trees were planted on Green Ghana Day in its inaugural year, while more than twenty-two million trees were planted on the occasion this year.
Mr. Brown has been reassigned to the Ministry as an Advisor to the Minister in order to guarantee that the Ministry completes its ambitious programme of afforestation and reforestation. After serving as the Director of Operations for Planting at the Forestry Commission before being named the Executive Director of the Forest Services Division, Mr. Brown is considered to have extensive knowledge in forest plantation.
Mr. Brown, a trained forester with more than twenty-eight (28) years of professional experience, is skilled at managing forestry projects. Mr. Brown's new position is anticipated to increase attention on the Ministry's afforestation programme and several other initiatives being carried out to replace the country's lost forest cover and support global climate action.
The relocation of the Regional Managers has also led to the moves of Bosompem Poku from Eastern to Ahafo, Stephen Asamoah Duah from Upper West to Western North, Joseph Bempah from Western North to Greater Accra, Augustine Gyedu from Ashanti to Bono, and Stephen Asamoah Duah from Upper West to Western North. Michael Paintsil transfers from Central to Western, Lucy Amoh Ntim moves from Bono East to Savannah, and Dickson Adjei Sekyi moves from Oti to Bono East. Mr. Clement A. Omari moves from Western to Ashanti.
Isaac Noble Eshun, from Bono to Eastern, makes up the remainder. Northerner Bernard Tabil travelling to Oti, From Volta to the North East, Bright Manso-Howard Sintim Yabbey from Savannah to Upper East, Ahmed Nsiah Bempah from North East to Northern, Emmanuel Yeboah from Upper East to Volta, and Bennet Ntiamoah from the Central Regions to Ahafo. Last but not least, Godfred Quashigah, the assistant regional manager for the Ahanti Region, takes over as regional manager for the Upper West Region.
Government representatives claim that the relocation of the Regional Managers is also intended to give the Commission's work some energy and ensure that the Commission fulfils its purpose to manage and safeguard our nation's forest resources.