Kumasi: Madam Akosua Pokua Boakye, the Programme Officer for Resource Conservation Initiative (RESCONI), emphasized the crucial role forests play in Ghana's economy and the livelihoods of millions at the 2026 commemoration of the International Day of Forests. She highlighted that the forestry sector is integral to national development by creating jobs, earning export revenue, and supporting rural communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Boakye pointed out that forests globally support over 1.6 billion people and are home to more than 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity. In Ghana, the forestry sector significantly contributes to employment and export earnings, providing over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. She also underscored the importance of non-timber forest products, such as mushrooms, medicinal plants, bushmeat, and fuelwood, which offer income, nutrition, and healthcare to many rural households.
The Programme Officer explained the close link between Ghana's economy, which heavily relies on natural resources and rain-fed agriculture, and the health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. As part of the commemoration, RESCONI collaborated with the Renewable Natural Resources Students Association of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to organize an inter-programme quiz competition and media engagement activities. These initiatives aimed to promote knowledge sharing and raise public awareness about forestry, climate change, and sustainable resource management.
Tahiru Saani, a third-year student from Forest Resource Technology, remarked that the activities enhanced awareness of the economic importance of forests and encouraged active youth participation in conservation efforts. Forest Resource Technology emerged as the winner of the competition, receiving GH?700, learning materials, and certificates, while Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science received GH?300 and educational materials, respectively.
RESCONI reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability, capacity building, and youth-driven advocacy, urging stakeholders to support sustainable forest management to protect forest resources for future generations.