Forestry experts in the sub-region are meeting in Accra to dialogue on strategies to facilitate the implementation of the first ever ECOWAS forestry policy developed for sustainable resource management.
The Dialogue, which is part of the willingness by member countries, international organizations and civil society in the sub region to develop an open cooperation on forestry matters is aimed at overcoming the decline in the sub-regional cooperation between arid and sub-humid areas on one hand and humid and rain areas on the other hand.
It will also strengthen and update the available flux of information on forest and wildlife resources and issues in order to raise the interest on the participation in the process as well as strengthening the capacity of the different actors that operate in the forestry and wildlife sectors in the sub-region.
The three-day regional meeting, "Forest Dialogue for West Africa" has technical experts from the 15 ECOWAS countries and civil society groups and organized by ECOWAS in collaboration with Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) with support from the European Union.
Mr Ousseni Salifou, ECOWAS Commissioner in-Charge of Agricultural, Environment and Water Resources said the document (Plan of Action) put together by a consultant to be discussed by the experts will empower the region to preserve the resources to enable people live in dignity, ensure good governance and improve the economy.
He noted that problems faced in the sub-region ranged from land degradation, desertification, institutional weaknesses, forest governance, energy consumption and trans-boundary issues which needed a coordinated policy to address.
Mr Salifou urged the experts to be objective and examine the document critically for the smooth implementation of the policy.
Mr Samuel Medu, Forest Consultant to ECOWAS Commission in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the 12 per cent land area of the sub-region had been depleted through indiscriminate removal of trees for firewood.
"With the increase in population in the sub-region, pressure is being put on the forests causing destruction not only to the trees but our river bodies as well and we need to preserve the natural resources for the younger generation to also benefit", he said.
He explained that ECOWAS Policy document was a major step in formulating a regional Forest Policy, which is part of ECOWAS Common Agricultural Policy and would be concerned with the wider issues reflecting impact of forests on the lives and well-being of its people.
Forest cover of West Africa constitutes about 11 per cent total land area of Africa and covers the 15 countries of ECOWAS with approximately 234 million people.
Mrs Maria Helena Semedo from the FAO urged the participants to ensure that the conclusions and recommendations of the meeting be brought to the attention of political authorities of each country and forestry ministers in member countries to enable them prepare a more active role together with other partners.
She assured participants of FAO's commitment in support of the process to ensure sustainable management of West Africa Forest and Wildlife resources to the generous benefit of all.
Mr Joseph Osikwan, Policy Coordinator and Senior Planning Officer of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry said the issue of deforestation and Forest degradation continued to have adverse impact on national economies in many African countries and hoped the meeting would develop strategies for sustainable management of forests in the sub-region.