Obo-Kwahu(E/R), April 30, GNA - Members of the Ghana Timber Association (GTA) have spent 16 million dollars to plant different tree species on 280 hectares of degraded forest at Ananekrom, near Agogo-Ashanti in the Asante-Akim North District to support the Government's afforestation programme.

The members financed the project with two per cent levy contributions. Mr Jonathan Armah, out-going National President of the association, announced this at its 165th annual general meeting held at Obo-Kwahu in the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region on Saturday. He said the project would be extended to cover 1,000 hectares within the next five years and commended Technical staff of the Forestry Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission for the supply of seedlings and technical assistance.

Mr Armah called for the establishment of a log market and a processing company within the Tema Free-Zone to purchase logs at the international market price.

He appealed to the Government for assistance in the supply of equipment to the members to enable them generate more revenue to honour their tax liabilities.

Mr Armah called on the Timber Marketing Organization (TMO) to honour their three per cent levy to the association finance more afforestation projects.

Mr Owusu Abebrese, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, urged members of the association to involve themselves in activities of the National Timber Task Force to check illegal chain saw operators who normally operated within forest reserves and concessions of members. He said it was the responsibility of members to be involved in afforestation programmes to ensure sustainability of the forest and timber industry in the country.

Mr Abebrese advised them to ensure regular payment of their property marks, renewal of their concessions and number of trees felled for the Commission to pay the appropriate royalties to Stool Land Owners.

A five-member National Executive was elected unopposed with Mr Osei Kwame Boateng Poku as President to steer affairs of the association.