Gov't loses C1.8 trillion in forestry & mining sectors

Ghana loses 1.8 trillion cedis annually through illegal chain saw and mining operations, Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Assistant Government Spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The operations of these underground saboteurs also cause immeasurable damage to the forest cover, rivers and the environment as whole"

Cabinet has, therefore, approved a number of measures to stop the financial seepage and environmental degradation.

He said the measures would ensure sustainable development of the forest, anti-wildfire resources and the conservation of biodiversity and the environment as a whole.

The policies include the transparent and efficient allocation of timber resources, reforestation of the entire country and the reclamation of degraded lands.

"The control of over-logging and over-carting of timber, the mobilisation of chainsaw and illegal miners to go into alternative productive ventures."

He said the Minister of Finance, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo had already signed a 7.6 million dollar environmental facility with the Global Environmental Fund.

This would aid the implementation of government's programmes on the environment.

He said the research institutes would be allowed to pre-test and spearhead policy modifications.

"Government believes that the time has come for our scientists to contribute their vast store of knowledge to national development."

Mr Amponsah-Bediako said it was envisaged that the policies would lead to greater revenue mobilisation and ensure the protection of the forest and environment.