The Forestry Commission says it is increasing the number of people in the Rapid Response Team of the Commission.
The attacks by criminals on rangers of the Commission led to the commission setting up a specialist rapid response team to provide extra support to rangers on the ground and investigate attacks and murders.
Addressing the media yesterday at a media launch of the third forestry week and greening Ghana Day celebration, the Chief Executive of the Commission Samuel Afari Dartey said the move has become necessary due to the increased attacks on the rangers.
“We are increasing the numerical strength of our rapid response team and enhance their logistics to enable them to effectively combat these criminals,” Dr. Afari said
He also pledged the Commission’s commitment to protecting the country’s valuable resources saying: “although we dread these losses, both human and forests, I wish to assure the perpetrators of these heinous crimes of our resolve in our commitment to continue to sacrifice to protect these valuable resources.”
He also stated that the Commission has trained a cadre of staff to assist public prosecutors to more effectively and expeditiously dispose off forest and wildlife offences.
“We have also embarked on plantation development to meet the gap and the demand of forest products.
“We can only celebrate the forest for sustainable development when we secure their sustainability even as we utilize them for national development,”he said
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana