The German Ambassador to Ghana, Christoph Retzlaff, has disclosed that Germany and Ghana will next month launch a Forest Conservation Program with an aim to clump down on deforestation in our forest reserves.

According to him, the program which will span the next four years after its launch, is essential because some 80 percent of Ghana’s forest has gradually disappeared since 1990 due to illegal activities such as illegal logging.

Christoph Retzlaff made the announcement via his official Twitter handle on January 13 after he held talks with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh.

“Deforestation is a huge problem in Ghana. 80% of primary forest disappeared since 1990 due to illegal logging, Germany and Ghana will launch a forest conservation program in February for the next 4 years. Good meeting with Hon. Minister for Lands & Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh,” the post said.

The Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources, on its part, has commenced a nationwide exercise to reclaim state lands illegally occupied by individuals, businesses and organisations.

As part of the exercise, Asomah-Cheremeh at a press briefing said the ministry has entered into a partnership with the security agencies and Anyok Holdings Limited, a private development company, to undertake “approved demolition exercises” and prosecute encroachers of state lands, especially in the Greater Accra Region.

The lands to be reclaimed include those belonging to Achimota School and the University of Ghana, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), the Afienya site for urban renewal and industrial enclave and road reservations, especially the Accra-Tema Motorway.

Other targets are commercial agricultural sites such as the Diary Farms for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at Danfa, Oyarifa, Kweiman and Amrahia.