A delegation from the Kenya Forestry Service Division has paid a working visit to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Tuesday, 3rd July, 2023 to understudy Ghana’s Commercial Forestry and Plantation development.
The delegation, led by the Deputy Director, Socio-Economic Policy & Governance of the Kenyan Forest Services, Mr. Joram Kagombe said their visit is to learn from Ghana’s successful implementation policies on Commercial Forestry and it’s pitfalls which would upscale Kenya’s Commercial Forest plans.
Mr. Kagombe in his submission applauded Ghana’s efforts to restore its lost vegetation through government’s ambitious afforestation program, Green Ghana Project and was curious to know Ghana’s strategy in whipping up interest for the planting of trees.
He stated that there is the need for Kenya’s Forest division to improve in planting methods and strategies while hoping that this engagement with the Ministry and it’s Forestry Directorate will continue to ensure that the learning process aids Kenya to integrate better plantation and Forestry development strategies.
Recieving the delegation on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A Jinapor, the Technical Director for Forestry, Mr. Joseph Osiakwan gave a brief history on how the Forestry sector has evolved over the years from 1901 – 2012 when the forest, wildlife policy was passed.
Mr Osiakwan also highlighted some Government incentives to promote plantation development. Sighting Forest Plantation Development Fund, the GFIP Loan Scheme, the Modified Taungya System and Benefit Sharing Arrangement
Tree Tenure and Benefit Sharing Policy Reforms for Naturally Occurring Trees as examples.
He mentioned that degradation through illegal mining is the biggest challenge in the management of the forest sector currently in the country but was quick to add that a lot is being done to mitigate this challenge.
The Director also touched on individual challenges forest plantation development suffer, stating a few as limited funding and lack of investment drive as a result of long gestation period for trees.
He further stated that forest plantation plays a key role in the restoration of degraded landscape in Ghana as the case in many other tropical countries.
He stressed that forest development is a vehicle for economic growth and development therefore the need for knowledge sharing on best practices in the sub region.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
