Director of Forestry Commission Training Centre Appeals for Public Support Amid Challenges

The Director of the Forestry Commission Training Centre (FCTC), Mrs. Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, has called on the general public and stakeholders to provide support to the institution as it strives to fulfill its mandate of training professionals to safeguard Ghana’s forests and wildlife resources. She made the appeal during the second matriculation ceremony of the Centre, held at its forecourt, to formally admit 81 students into the newly introduced Certificate in Natural Resource Management (CNRM) programme.

The 18-month programme, run in affiliation with the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), is designed to produce highly skilled, middle-level technicians capable of driving the Forestry Commission’s mission of sustainable forest and wildlife management. The occasion marked a milestone in the Centre’s history, as this was the first cohort to undertake the CNRM programme.

Speaking to the media, Mrs. Adjei reaffirmed the Training Centre’s critical role in protecting the country’s natural resources and tackling environmental degradation. She noted that despite the Centre’s dedication and commitment to its mission, it continues to grapple with infrastructural and logistical challenges that threaten the smooth running of its operations.

“As an institution mandated to train competent professionals to protect Ghana’s forest reserves, we are doing everything possible to fulfill our responsibilities. However, we face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, training resources, and support systems. We are, therefore, appealing to the public, government, and development partners to come to our aid,” Mrs. Adjei said.

She praised the newly matriculated students for choosing a path of environmental stewardship, emphasizing that their training would place them at the forefront of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, deforestation, and other environmental threats.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown, also addressed the ceremony, pledging the Commission’s commitment to investing in human resource development to safeguard the country’s forests. He stressed that the training of these students would bolster efforts to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and ensure the effective management of Ghana’s natural resources through collaboration between the Forestry Commission’s three divisions.

The colourful matriculation ceremony featured speeches from dignitaries, an oath-taking session, and an official welcome to the students, who are expected to undergo rigorous academic and field training over the next 18 months.

The introduction of the CNRM programme marks a significant step in building the technical capacity needed to restore degraded forest reserves, combat environmental destruction, and promote sustainable development. The Training Centre’s leadership expressed optimism that with adequate support, it can become a premier hub for forestry and natural resource training in Ghana and across the sub-region.