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The Deputy Minister of Lands end National Resources and MP for Manhyia North Hon Akwasi Konadu has reveal that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo government is therefore committed in promoting sustainable forest management and reforestation efforts as seen in the Green Ghana project and many other initiative and intervention being pursued by the ministry in collection with relevant stakeholder.
He said forest play a vital role in our national development and we recognize it’s significance in addressing climate change biodiversity conservative and sustainable livelihoods.
He edged that human resources required to managed our forest estate in the face of those critical challenges, especially the Frontline supervisor are inadequate and is continuously dwindling. It is therefore imperative for the forestry commission and stakeholders to have come up with a human resource development strategy through the introduction of this technical level training programme, which is not only meant to provide the needed cutting-edge knowledge and expertise to manage our forest, wildlife resource and combat the illegalities of forest resources utilization in our country.
He said the programme also align with the government’s Job creation agenda to create many jobs in the forest sector for the teeming youth.
The market for such employable professional skills already exists in the forestry sector and therefore, finding employment after going through this unique training programme will not be difficult, he added.
Hon Akwasi Konadu promised that the ministry will work together with the CEO of the Forestry Commission to ensure there is financial clearance for absorbing every qualified individual to augment the staff strength of the Forestry Commission and enhance forest protection and conservation activities.
He made this statement at the Matriculation and Inauguration of Certificate in Natural Resources Management programme at Forestry Commission Training Center at Akyewkrom – Ejisu.
On his part the Director Forestry Commission Training Center ( FCTC) Hon Dr Osei Andy okrah said 257 Applications received and stringent selection process used to select 67 applicants 53 males and 14 females who met the entry requirements and selection processed was quided and vetted by University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
The 67 students have backgrounds in General Science, General Arts with Geography and Economic and other oral interviews, he added that they also enroll some Youth in Afforestation programme as part of the weaning off policy of the Forestry Commission.
Hon Dr Andy Osei Okrah said the 18 months tri-semester certificate in Natural Resources Management program is designed for students to spend two semesters on campus and the third semester will be used for field tours.
He said the students are being given practical skills in forest and wildlife management with a touch of leadership and entrepreneurship MINDSET to create what we called ” forestpreneurs”
The Direction FCTC reveal that the uniqueness of the course is it’s practicability and Hand on Training on the field not theory but it is design to practice hand on field work which is totally different at the Degree level so that graduates can actually do exactly what we expect on the field, and can create their own natural resources management business or enterprised without for anyone.
Finally Hon Dr Andy Osei Okrah reveal that the graduates of the certificate in Natural Resources Management program will receive a certificate awarded by University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
Full speech by Hon Akwasi Konadu, Deputy Minister of Lands and natural resources
