By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, October 01, GNA – Members of the Timber Verification Committee (TVC) have participated in a three-day comprehensive training session to help them carry out their responsibilities efficiently.
The responsibility of the TVC was to guarantee that timber and associated products exported from the country, particularly to the European Union, adhered to the standards set by the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) legal system.
They were guided through the legal aspects of the TVC’s requirements and responsibilities, an overview of the forest sector concerning legality verification, the roles of the Forest Service, Wildlife, and Timber Industry Development departments within the Forestry Commission, and various other subjects.
Mr. Philip Fiifi Buckman, the TVC Chairman, addressed reporters on the sidelines in Takoradi, stating that the orientation session was both theoretical and practical, enhancing their understanding of their primary responsibilities as a committee.
He stated, “As a committee, our responsibility is to ensure adherence to the legal and regulatory standards that apply to timber products intended for both local and global markets. Therefore, we view this orientation as a crucial opportunity to strengthen our monitoring capabilities.”
Mr. Buckman, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, assured the committee’s dedication to making sure that all trees cut down in the nation’s forests for timber are done so in compliance with the law, in order to safeguard forest reserves for both present and future generations.
“We will enforce rigorous oversight and adherence to the timber legality assurance system, ensuring equitable licensing for both local and international players in the timber industry,” he added.
As part of the orientation, the committee went on a field trip to the Subri Forest Reserve, where they gained knowledge on stock assessment, tree tagging, and allocation of timber.
They were also guided through elements of forest management practices implemented on-site, such as cutting down trees, marking stumps, and recording details of fallen trees (TIF).
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
