Executives from the International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) have paid a courtesy visit to the Forestry Commission (FC) to explore potential areas of cooperation and collaboration. As part of the visit, the team engaged with the Executive Management Team (EMT) of the Commission at its Boardroom.
The ISA is a global professional body dedicated to advancing the practice and benefits of arboriculture. The Society promotes awareness among professionals, allied experts, public officials, and consumers worldwide on the economic, environmental, and social value of trees and the importance of their proper care through responsible resource management.
The visiting delegation, led by Madam Caitlyn Pollihan, Chief Executive Officer, ISA, included Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe, President, ISA, and Justinian Osei-Akosa, a Certified Arborist. During their interaction with the EMT, the team highlighted ISA’s ongoing partnerships in Ghana, notably with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), which facilitates training and mentorship for African students and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Plant for the Planet, Ghana. They expressed optimism that the collaboration with the FC would yield mutual benefits, especially the use of ISA’s i-Tree platform and the Commission’s Ghana Wood Tracking System (GWTS).
In response, Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown, Chief Executive, FC, welcomed the partnership and announced plans to formalise the collaboration. He designated Dr. Gordon Adu-Sarfo, Ag. Executive Director, Forest Services Division (FSD) to coordinate the process and serve as FC’s institutional representative. Dr. Brown also emphasized the need to include tree climbing, felling, and safety training for FC staff as part of the collaboration.
Madam Pollihan expressed appreciation for the fruitful discussions, while Dr. Jean-Philippe proposed a virtual follow-up meeting with the FC to undertake preliminary groundwork ahead of the ISA team’s next visit in the first quarter of 2026.
