The state’s inability to keep up with their allowance payment and other issues have left the future of the youth in the afforestation program in doubt.
On the sidelines of a school debate held in honor of this year’s World Forest Day, the forestry commission’s chief executive officer, John Allotey, stated that the concept as a whole is being examined to determine whether it should continue or not.
As a flagship initiative, the youth in afforestation program was introduced in 2018.
With the help of reforestation, rehabilitation, and protection, it sought to restore the degraded forest cover.
The program began in grand style across the country with many more beneficiaries than the intended 20,000, all of whom were eager to contribute to the fulfillment of the creators’ hopes and aspirations.
However, agitations and protests shook the program after a few months of operation, primarily because allowances were not paid.
These allowances may occasionally be more than a year behind schedule.
The future of the program is in doubt, according to John Allotey, CEO of the forestry commission, who was speaking outside of the school’s debate in honor of World Forest Day in 2023.
The delayed allowance syndrome was another topic covered by John Allotey.
The debate was on the topic; mining contributes significantly to Ghana’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings. Some ore deposits are found in forest reserves; should these areas be mined?
While presec chose no in response to the question, achimota school chose yes.
The participants in the debate assigned rationales for why it is crucial to mine in the forest reserves or not.
In addition to speaking against the motion, Presbyterian Boys Senior High School won the debate thanks to their eloquence, delivery, specific examples, and convincing rebuttals.
We gave money and other things to both schools.
The program will be implemented across the country to increase youth interest in the environment, forests, and biodiversity.
By Peter Quao Adattor
