Forest Management Committee inaugurated

Apam, (C/R) Sept. 7, GNA - Nine Community Forest Management Committees (CFMC) designed to provide additional care and protection to the Yenku forest reserve in the Gomoa District of the Central Region, were jointly inaugurated at a ceremony at Apam at the weekend.

The function was performed by the Central Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Mr John Stanislaus Komla Elletey, and Mr. Yaw Asamoah, Gomoa District Co-ordinating Director.

Communities constituting the 63-member strong monitoring and management group are, Gomoa Amanfi, Asebu, Bewadze, Mankoadze, Darhom, Otsew-Juakwaa, Onyadze, Oguaakrom, and Gomoa Lome.

Each group has seven members, and all the 63 members of the nine groups were provided with a pair of wellington boots and a piece of crocodile matchet each.

Speakers who took turns to address and advised the committee members who were selected by their chiefs and people were, Mr. Kenneth Nimoh-Amoah, Winneba District Manager of the Forestry Commission, Miss Konadu Pokuaa of the Kumasi branch of the CFMC, and Nana Effirim X, Chief of Apam, who chaired the function.

They explained the vital role forest reserves play in the socio-economic development of every nation and asked them to exhibit the highest degree of self discipline, honesty, self-control, dedication and commitment to the job entrusted to them to bring appreciable returns to the nation and their communities.

Mr. Elletey and Mr. Asamoah advised members of the committees to team up with their chiefs and other opinion leaders in their communities to promote the aims and objectives of the CFMC concept.

Mr. Justice Emmanuel Wilson, a District Magistrate who swore in the committee cautioned members against using the committees for making money, saying that any member caught involved in colluding with illicit timber men to cheat the nation would be dealt with according to the law.

He however, assured members of the full support and co-operation of the courts.