Kumasi Dec 24, GNA- The Forest Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), at Fumesua in the Ashanti Region, on Saturday honoured 13 of its staff who retired from active service this year. The retirees who had served their employers between 20 and 30 years received citations, certificates, undisclosed amount of money, wax print, and a stool each. They included Dr Joseph Rexford Cobbinah, the outgoing Director of FORIG and Dr Andrews Akwasi Oteng-Amoako, former Deputy Director of the Institute, who had served their employers for 27 and 20 years respectively.

Speaking at a send-off party, Dr Victor K. Agyemang, Director of the Institute, commended the retirees for their commitment to the FORIG, which had helped to improve upon the performances of the Institute. He noted that the forestry sector was vibrant and could help improve the nation's economy but deforestation, climate change among other factors were negatively affecting the sector. Dr Agyemang said measures would be initiated to help the FORIG increased output for more foreign exchange for the country. Dr Joseph Cobbinah on behalf of his colleagues thanked the Institute for the honour done them and pledged that they would share their experiences with management.