The Forestry Commission Training Centre (FCTC) of the Forestry Commission, an affiliate of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has matriculated its second batch of 81 students into the Certificate in Natural Resource Management (CNRM) Programme. The 18-month programme seeks to produce mid-level technicians to support forest and wildlife operations.

The event attracted traditional leaders, faculty members from UENR and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), representatives of the Police, Fire, and Immigration Services, members of the Forestry Commission (FC) Board, Executive Management, and staff.

In his welcome address, the Acting (Ag.) Chief Executive of FC, Dr. Hugh Brown, warmly received all present and congratulated the matriculants. He described the continuation of the programme as a privilege, commending his predecessors for their vision in establishing it. He explained that the initiative was birthed through a partnership between the Commission and UENR following the closure of the former School of Forestry in Sunyani.

Dr. Brown noted with pride that this year recorded a significant increase in applications, with female enrolment rising by 46 percent. He further commended stakeholders for their support, announcing, that the Commission is subsidising 80% of training costs while providing students with modern tools. He expressed gratitude to the FCTC team, university faculty, and former management of the Centre for their contributions, and urging the matriculanats to make the Commission proud.

The Director, FCTC, Ms. Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, in her briefing, acknowledged dignitaries and staff of the FCTC for their hard work. She explained the rationale for the programme: “The FC realised that there was a skill gap in personnel”, hence the introduction of the course”. This gap, she stated, particularly affected forest front liners, thus forest and wildlife range supervisors.

Ms. Fosuah Adjei disclosed that the Commission is encouraged by the growing public interest, as applications had significantly increased compared to last year. She appealed to government, industry players, and donors to support the centre with logistics, particularly a bus, while charging the students to “upgrade themselves and contribute to sustainable forest management in Ghana”.
A formal acceptance of the students into UENR was done by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nana Sarfo Agyemang Derkyi, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, after the matriculation oath was administered. The students pledged to abide by the Institution’s rules, study diligently, and promote its integrity.

Prof. Derkyi, in addressing the gathering, expressed delight in welcoming the matriculants into FCTC and UENR, institutions he said play an imperative role in shaping the future of forestry in Ghana. “Your training here will equip you with the knowledge, skill and competencies to manage Ghana’s forest resources sustainably,” he declared. He encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunities offered, adding that the forestry sector is complex and multifaceted and the programme will provide adequate preparation for the challenges ahead. He concluded by wishing them well, saying “May your time here be enriching and rewarding.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Technical Advisor to the Minister, Prof. Jerry Samuel Yaw Kuma, expressed appreciation to the traditional authorities of Akyawkrom for their support. He highlighted the persistent threats facing Ghana’s environment, including deforestation, illegal logging, and mining (galamsey). “The human resource and modern logistics required to manage our forest estates continue to dwindle”, he observed, stressing the urgency for the FC to design the programme.

Prof. Kuma explained that the CNRM aligns with the Ministry’s policy objectives as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8, 13, and 15. He assured that the programme complements Government’s commitment to combat illegalities in the forest sector and will ensure that trainees are absorbed after successful completion. Encouraging the students, he stated, “Utilise the opportunity wisely to find workable solutions to the sector’s challenges”. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to support FCTC in delivering its mandate of excellence.

The ceremony concluded in a spirit of optimism, with dignitaries and participants expressing renewed hope for the future of Ghana’s forestry sector as a new generation of advocates was formally inducted to champion sustainability