Akyawkrom (Ash), July 22, GNA - A workshop to sensitize relevant

stakeholders on the implementation of the International Forest Instrument in

Ghana has been held at Akyawkrom near Ejisu in Ashanti. The day's workshop was organized by the Forestry Commission in

collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

(FAO), the National Forest Programme Facility, the Forest Forum of Ashanti,

Central, Western and Brong-Ahafo and the Growing Partnerships (GFP)

Initiative. It was designed to help participants to identify where Ghana stands

with respect to the national policy measures in the instrument, adopted in

December 2007 during the United Nations Forum on Forests. The workshop provided the platform for them to deliberate on

prioritized issues to move forward the implementation of the Instrument and

enhance sustainable forest management to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in the country. Presenting a paper on "Understanding the implementation of the

Forest Investment in Ghana", Reverend David Guba Kpelle, National Project

Coordinator of the Instrument, said its primary purpose was to promote

commitment and action at all levels. He said even though, it was voluntary, countries were expected to

develop and implement priority national policies and measures including the

promotion of efficient production and processing of forest products. Rev. Kpelle said it was also expected that government supported the

use of traditional forest-related knowledge in sustainable forest management,

created an enabling environment for private sector investment and enhanced

cross-sectoral policy to address deforestation and forest degradation. The coordinator noted that in collaborating with development

partners, Ghana would mobilize the necessary support to implement the

actions, document methodology and experiences and shared lessons to be

learnt with other countries. Mr Alex Asare of the Resource Management Support Centre of the

Forestry Commission in Kumasi reminded Ghanaians that forest resources

were irreplaceable and must therefore be protected.