Ghana’s government has launched a specialist taskforce charged with eliminating illegal logging and protecting the country’s dwindling forest reserves.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah officially inaugurated the National Timber Monitoring Team on Monday, describing the unit as a “frontline defence” against the destruction of Ghana’s forests.
The minister instructed team members to carry out their duties with “utmost diligence and integrity” as they oversee all timber-related activities within national forest reserves.
The new monitoring unit has been tasked with preventing encroachment and degradation of forest reserves whilst ensuring strict compliance with forestry laws and sustainable management practices.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah characterised the initiative as a “strategic pivot” aimed at revitalising Ghana’s timber sector, which has faced persistent challenges from illegal exploitation.
“We are committed to resetting the industry on a path of transparency, sustainability, and high efficiency through robust monitoring and enforcement,” the minister said.
He emphasised that forest protection was a collective responsibility requiring cooperation across government and civil society.
Ghana has experienced significant deforestation in recent decades, with illegal logging cited as a major contributor to forest loss. The West African nation’s forests play a crucial role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.
The establishment of the monitoring team represents the latest effort by the Mahama administration to reverse the decline of the country’s forest cover.
