As part of the Regional familiarization tour, the newly appointed Board Members of the Forestry Commission (FC) paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene,His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace following a stakeholder engagement session with players in the timber industry in the Ashanti Region.
The visit to the Manhyia Palace , aimed to formally introduce the new Board to His Majesty and seek his guidance in addressing pressing issues within the forestry sector.
The Board, led by the Chairman, Professor Martin Oteng-Ababio, outlined several urgent challenges confronting the Commission. Top among them was the proposed relocation of the Kumasi Zoo citing the strategic importance of its current location.
Another major concern involved land encroachment at Adiebeba, where unauthorized developments threaten designated forestry lands. Professor Oteng-Ababio called on Otumfuo’s support to halt further encroachments and protect the Commission’s assets.
Additionally, the environmental degradation at the Barekese Dam area due to illegal mining and quarrying was brought to the fore. The Chairman stressed the threat these activities pose to water security and environmental sustainability, appealing for collaborative action with traditional authorities.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed confidence in the new Board and endorsed their commitment to preserving Ghana’s natural resources. He emphasised the historical importance of land protection and criticised the increasing violations of conservation laws. Otumfuo encouraged the use of traditional expertise in environmental assessments.
Addressing the Zoo relocation issue, Otumfuo clarified that he had never proposed its relocation and reaffirmed his support for maintaining its current site, praising its educational and recreational value. He emphasised youth employment through reforestation projects, urging the Commission to seek international funding for such initiatives.
Professor Oteng-Ababio concluded the visit by expressing the Board’s appreciation for Otumfuo’s counsel and pledging to act on his recommendations. He welcomed the idea of sourcing funding for large-scale reforestation and youth employment initiatives, and promised to maintain close collaboration with the Manhyia Palace.
The visit not only strengthened ties between the Forestry Commission and traditional leadership but also laid the foundation for collaborative action to combat environmental threats and promote sustainable development across the Ashanti Region.
