EcoCare, Forestry C’ssion sign MoU to protect forests - 60 communities involved

A rights-based campaign and advocacy organisation, EcoCare Ghana, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Forestry Commission and 60 farming communities in the transitional landscape to protect forest reserves and rivers.

Signed in Techiman in the Bono East Region, thousands of smallholder farmers from the 60 communities across six districts in the Ashanti and Bono East regions are expected to benefit from the agreement.

The beneficiary districts include Offinso South Municipality and Offinso North District, both in the Ashanti Region, as well as Techiman Metropolis, Techiman North District, Nkoranza South Municipality, and Nkoranza North District in the Bono East Region.

EcoCare Ghana signed the MoU with the commission and the communities to plant and protect the various species of trees introduced in the transitional landscape under the Landscape and Environmental Agility Across the Nation (LEAN) project, which aims to support national efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Incentives

EcoCare Ghana's project manager, Enoch Danso Okyere, stated that the MoU proposed several packages and incentives for participating farmers who comply with the terms and conditions outlined in the document.

He explained that the packages would provide access to a full-scale nursery structure along with all necessary equipment, logistics, and other resources to facilitate their activities.

Mr Okyere mentioned that some beneficiary farmers would also receive free seedlings to re-green the depleted forest reserves in the areas where the project is implemented.

Additionally, he noted that the MoU aims to strengthen collaboration between the Forestry Commission and the districts to eliminate illegal logging and forest infractions while reducing emissions linked to deforestation and forest degradation.

The LEAN project also seeks to leverage climate-smart agricultural methods to restore lost or depleted forests in the transition landscape.

Interventions

The Deputy Bono East Regional Director of the Forestry Commission, Reverend Jonathan Obour Wiredu, praised EcoCare Ghana for initiating the effort to protect the forest reserves.

He explained that this initiative would enhance the commission's existing forest protection interventions.

Rev. Wiredu stated that the implementation of the LEAN project in the six districts has aided the commission in safeguarding the forest reserves and other natural resources.

He added that the LEAN project has facilitated a series of environmental protection programmes for the local chiefs and communities, which have played a crucial role in preserving the forest reserves.

Rev. Wiredu noted that their efforts in the transitional landscape have restored some depleted forest reserves, highlighting that certain endangered tree species have been replanted.

"With this project, Ghanaians will soon have the opportunity to harvest their own timber in the coming years," he remarked.

He urged the project sponsor, the European Union, to continue funding the LEAN project to restore forest reserves and protect water bodies.

A beneficiary of the LEAN Project, Naa Yelle Jian, expressed to the Daily Graphic their commitment to complying with the terms and conditions of the agreement to reap the project's benefits.

She voiced hope that the signing of the MoU would enhance and protect their initiatives, as the three organisations are dedicated to fulfilling their respective roles.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh