Offinso, Ghana – June 25, 2024
Knowledge for World Conservation (KWC) has launched the "Application of Technology to Enhance Monitoring of the Forest in the Offinso Forest District of Ghana" (ATEM-OFD) project. This initiative, supported by a grant from the World Resources Institute (WRI) through the Global Forest Watch Small Grant Scheme, aims to tackle persistent issues such as illegal logging, agricultural expansion, nomadic encroachment, and wildfires in the Offinso Forest District.
The ATEM-OFD project is designed to modernize and strengthen forest monitoring systems by leveraging advanced technologies and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders. This multi-stakeholder approach includes forest range managers, supervisors, resource guards, and local communities, all working together to curb illegal forest activities and improve the response to forest crimes.
The primary goal of the ATEM-OFD project is to enhance the forest monitoring capacity of forest and community guards. Key objectives include:
- Training forest and community guards in the use of advanced monitoring technologies.
- Improving the detection, reporting, and response to illegal forest activities.
- Fostering a collaborative approach among stakeholders to ensure sustainable forest management.
Stakeholder Engagement
KWC organized an inception meeting on June 25, 2024, at the Offinso Forest District office to introduce the project to key stakeholders and discuss its implementation. Participants included representatives from selected forest fringe communities, the Private Afforestation Developers Organization (PADO), the Women in Timber Ghana Association (WiTG), and the Forest Services Division (FSD) office in Offinso. The meeting saw active participation from 31 stakeholders, including notable figures such as Mr. Edward Nyaamah, Offinso District Manager of the FSD, and Mr. Gustav Alexander Adu, Executive Director of KWC.
During the meeting, stakeholders received a comprehensive overview of the project's scope, activities, and timelines. The discussions emphasized the critical role of each stakeholder in the project's success and the importance of active participation and collaboration.
Mr. Edward Nyaamah, District Manager of the Offinso FSD, expressed his appreciation for the project, stating, "I see this project as timely as the district faces issues with monitoring and reporting forest offences and disturbances." He highlighted the challenges the district encounters in forest monitoring and expressed optimism that the project would bring much-needed improvements.
Mr. Gustav Alexander Adu, Executive Director of KWC, emphasized the project's significance and scalability, noting, "We are optimistic that the outcomes of this project will serve as a model and can be replicated in other forest districts across the country." He urged all stakeholders to share their views and contribute to the successful deliberations and implementation of the project.
The ATEM-OFD project is scheduled to run from June 1, 2024, to May 30, 2025, covering all forest reserves under the Offinso Forest District. Key activities include capacity-building workshops, community sensitization forums, and field visits to demonstrate the use of modern monitoring tools and techniques.
