Over 50% of stumpage revenue of FC not invoiced

Akyawkrom (Ash), April 16, GNA - Mr A.S.K. Boachie-Dapaah, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission (FC), has expressed that, in recent times the FC has not been able to invoice over 50 per cent of its calculated stumpage revenue.

He said to compound the problem, the Commission too failed to collect the 10 per cent invoiced stumpage revenue as well as the 30 per cent export levy.

Mr Boachie-Dapaah made the observation in an address read on his behalf at the annual general meeting of the Forestry Senior Staff Association (FOSSA) at Akyawkrom near Ejisu on Friday. The meeting, which was the second since inception of the association, was under the theme, "Sustainable Forest Management in Ghana, Challenges in the 21st Century".

The Chief Executive said the feeble revenue generation drive coupled with declining donor assistance and increases in the harvest rate of timber, were having a negative impact on the credible performance of the industry.

Mr Boachie-Dapaah said since the FC was now more focused on being a business entity, it behoves all staff to take a second look at their conduct with a view to contributing more genuinely to development and sustenance of the Commission.

He made it clear that the survival of the FC and the forestry sector crucially depends on plantation development and for this matter the Commission has decided to implement the plantation programme to the letter without yielding to any criticism.

Mr Boachie-Dapaah said it is to demonstrate its commitment to plantation development that the FC created an independent department, adding, "the importance of the department is underscored by the President's Special Initiative (PSI) on plantation of which the FC is the leading implementing agent".

Mr L.B. Antwi, President of FOSSA, proposed to the FC not only to review the code of ethics of the Commission but also institute more positive measures to rigidly enforce it.

"The FC should attach sanctions to breaches of the ethical code of conduct to regulate those activities of ours that are not covered by our laws", he added.

Mr Kwadwo Wireko-Brobbey, a member of the Board of Commissioners of the FC, who presided, assured the staff of the readiness of the Commission to motivate them to give of their best.