June, 2009
FORIG NEWS
Inside this issue:
CSIR Celebrates
Scientific Renais-
sance Day of Africa
2
W o r k s h o p o n
Chainsaw Lumber-
ing in West Africa
3
Staff Promotions 4
New Appointees
Dr. Foli Represents
Ghana on ITTO
5
5
FORIG Constructs
Solar Kiln Dryer at
Aburi
Revival of FOR-
NESSA
6
6
IUFRO & ITTO
Corner
7
Volume 4, Issue 2
Scientific Renaissance Day in Pictures
April - June, 2009
Cont’d on Page 3...
FORIG NEWS
Fo r es t r y Resear ch Ins t i t u t e o f Ghana April - June, 2009 Volume 4, Issue 2
T he Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), consisting of 13 Research Institutes cele-
brated Scientific Renaissance Day of Africa at the
CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana in Kumasi on
30th June, 2009. The theme for the occasion was “Clean
Technology for Sustainable Sanitation”.
The ceremony was attended by over 150 participants
comprising researchers, policy makers, chiefs, students
and other stakeholders. The day was a special one as it
had been earmarked to create awareness about the bene-
fits of the application of science and technology to eco-
nomic, cultural and social endeavours.
The Guest of Honour was Nana Wontwi II, representative
of Otumfo Osei-Tutu II. He was ably assisted by the
Chairman of the occasion Alhalji Mohammed Boakye
Agyeman, District Chief Executive of Ejisu Juaben Mu-
nicipal Assembly. Dr. Omane Boamah, Deputy Minister
of Environment, Science and Technology was the Key-
note Speaker.
Chairman’s Opening Remarks
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed
Boakye Agyeman, District Chief Executive of Ejisu Jua-
ben Municipal Assembly, pointed out that the people of
Ashanti have lived with four of the CSIR institutes in Ku-
masi and highly appreciate their contributions to national
development through scientific and technological inter-
ventions in addressing some of the challenges faced by
Ghana and beyond. Alhaji Mohammed Boakye Agyeman
further stated that the current state of environmental sani-
CSIR CELEBRATES SCIENTIFIC RENAISSANCE DAY FOR AFRICA
Director General of CSIR
tation in our nation and Africa require urgent attention
and the application of science and technology to achieve
sustainable environmental sanitation. He then urged all
highly respected scientists of CSIR to join hands to de-
velop sustainable sanitation systems for Metropolitan,
Municipal and District Assemblies.
Welcome Address by Director-General of CSIR
Dr. A. B. Salifu stated that the celebration of Renaissance Day draws attention to a re-orientation of CSIR strategy in which waste management must become an integral part in order to achieve clean technology.
The Director General emphasized that CSIR has engaged in various research and development efforts with the pur-pose of solving sanitation-related challenges in the coun-try. For instance, the Institute for Industrial Research has designed and constructed bio-sanitation toilet systems for various District Assemblies and other clients.
...Cont’d from Page 2
Page 3 FORIG NEWS
-
WORKSHOP ON CHAINSAW LUMBERING IN WEST AFRICA
O n 25h May, 2009 Dr. E. Marfo, a Research Sci-
entist at the Forestry Research Institute of
Ghana presented a report at a two-day Tropenbos-
European Union (EU) Regional Workshop on Chainsaw
Lumbering in West Africa, in Accra.
As project leader, he made the presentation on behalf of
the FORIG team including Dr. Adam, Dr. Darko-Obiri,
Mr. F. W. Owusu, Mr. K. Gyamfi and Mr. E. Nutakor.
The Workshop formed part of a five-year (2007-2012)
EU Chainsaw Project aimed at developing alternatives to
illegal
chainsaw lumber production through stakeholder dialogue,
share country experiences and identify best practices to
salvage the fast depleting forest reserves.
Dr. Marfo, in his presentation said in spite of the banning
of illegal chainsaw milling activities in the country, the
practice continues to boom. The resulting effect among
others is that the government potentially lost $18 million
in stumpage revenue to illegal milling last year alone.
technology development agenda.
• Closely examine the CSIR structure and working
environment to see if they provide the necessary
synergy, flexibility and motivation for maximum
scientific outputs.
• CSIR and the scientific community should take up
the challenge to give substantial attention to the de-
velopment of clean technologies that could help
manage our environment.
Speech by Nana Darko Wontwi representative of
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, Asantehene
In his delivery, Nana Darko Wontwi II, representative of
the Asantehene reiterated that our streams continue to dry
up, thousands of children and adults suffer from prevent-
able diseases such as cholera and malaria, simply because
of the problem of poor sanitation and waste disposal. He
acknowledged the concerted efforts of scientists to effec-
tively develop, promote and maintain healthy sanitation
practices.
Nana Wontwi II threw a challenge to CSIR in general,
particularly CSIR-Institutes in Kumasi to come up with a
model for improving environmental sanitation in the
Ashanti Kingdom”.
He concluded by saying that the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research would continue to pursue the
applications of Science and Technology to increase
Ghana’s economic competitiveness and nurture sustain-
able development.
Minister’s Speech
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and
Technology, Dr. Omane Boamah in his speech indicated
that to fully meet the ideals of sustainable development,
there was the need to use technologies that are not
harmful to the environment. The Minister emphatically
called on scientists to be innovative in designing clean
technologies.
Dr. Omane Boamah assured participants that the Minis-
try, in collaboration with CSIR management will con-
tinue to explore ways to address issues related to inade-
quate funds for research, conditions of service of scien-
tists and the attendant consequences of high research
staff attrition rate.
The Deputy Minister concluded his speech with three
thought provoking points namely:
• The need for a collective effort, particularly a
stronger partnership between government, indus-
try and the CSIR to inspire excellence in our
Page 4 FORIG NEWS
...Cont’d from Page 3
STAFF PROMOTIONS
The following members of staff have been promoted as
follows:
• Mr. John. K. Agbozo, promoted from Principal
Technical Officer to Chief Technical Officer, effec-
tive 1st January, 2008.
• Mr. Michael. Mensah, promoted from Principal
Technical Officer to Chief Technical Officer, effec-
tive 1st January, 2008.
• Mrs. Evelyn. O. Agyeman, promoted from Principal
Technical Officer to Chief Technical Officer, effec-
tive 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Kwabena. P. Bandoh, promoted from Senior
Technical Officer to Principal Technical Officer, 1st
January, 2006.
• Miss Sandra. Owusu, promoted from Technical Of-
ficer to Senior Technical Officer, effective 1st Janu-
ary, 2006.
• M. Emmanuel A. Manu, promoted from Technical
Officer to Senior Technical Officer, effective 1st
January, 2008.
• Mr. Kwame S. Bonsu, promoted from Technical
Officer to Senior Technical Officer, effective 1st
January, 2008.
• Mr. Richard K. Adjei, promoted from Technical
Officer to Senior Technical Officer, effective 1st
January, 2007.
• Mr. Samuel O. Anti, promoted from Accounting
Assistant to Senior Accounting Assistant effective
1st January, 2009.
• Mr. George K. Kpodo, promoted to Security Assis-
tant Grade 1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Emmanuel K. Antwi, promoted to Security As-
sistant Grade 1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Edward Okyere, promoted to Junior Foremen,
effective 1st January, 2003.
• Mr. Kwame Asiedu, promoted to Tradesman Super-
visor, effective 1st January, 2009.
He said the continued booming of the practice in Ghana
was as a result of the inability of successive govern-
ments to muster the political will to enforce the law that
banned it.
He stated that about 100,000 people are involved in
chainsaw-related activities nationwide. Last year, over
84,000 people were engaged in the practice in eight for-
est districts studied in the country.
Dr. Marfo again mentioned that chainsaw operators
alone felled about 2.4 million cubic meters of trees, a
figure above the annual allowable cut of 2 million cubic
meters given to licensed loggers. He therefore called on
government to take a definite policy action on regulariz-
ing the operation or ensure full enforcement and that the
status quo presents a glooming picture for the country’s
rainforest. He reiterated the need to find alternative live-
lihoods for people engaged in chainsaw operation if full
enforcement is chosen as the policy option.
Over 60 participants mostly from African countries in-
cluding Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Ni-
geria, South Africa and Uganda attended the workshop.
Others include:
• Mr. Maxwell Adjei, promoted to the grade of
Overseer, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Emmanuel Y. Appiah, promoted to the grade
of Overseer, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Joseph Owusu, promoted to Tradesman Grade
1, effective 1st January, 2007.
• Mr. Samuel K. Agyarkwa, promoted to Assistant
Overseer 1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Kwame Sasu, promoted to Assistant Overseer
1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Seidu Mohammed, promoted to Assistant
Overseer 1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Paul Assuming, promoted to Supervisor Grade
1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Stephen Baah, promoted to Supervisor Grade
1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Evans Adusei, promoted to Senior Caretaker,
effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Kofi Kumah, promoted to Supervisor Grade
1, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Sampson Nketiah, promoted to Supervisor
Grade 11, effective 1st January, 2009.
• Mr. Haruna Issaka, promoted to Supervisor Grade
111, effective 1st January, 2009.
Page 5 FORIG NEWS
NEW APPOINTEES
...Cont’d from Page 4
Four Research Scientists and a Technical Officer have
been employed by CSIR-FORIG as follows:
• John Kobina Mensah, Research Scientist assigned to
Forest and Wildlife Management and Governance
Division, effective 1st March, 2009.
• Elizabeth Asantewaa Obeng, Research Scientist as-
signed to Forests, Livelihood and Sustainable Devel-
opment Division, effective 1st March, 2009.
• Sarah Pentsil, Research Scientist assigned to Com-
mercialisation and Information Division, effective 1st
March, 2009.
• George K. Duku, Research Scientist assigned to En-
vironmental Services and Climate Change Division,
effective 2nd July, 2009.
• Samar Brefo Sparkler, Principal Technical Officer
assigned to Forests Products and Marketing Divi-
sion, effective 1st March, 2009.
Dr. E. Foli, Head of Environment, Land Use and Biodi-
versity Unit has been appointed by the Ministry of Lands
and Natural Resources to represent Ghana on the Interna-
tional Tropical Timber Organization’s (ITT0) Thematic
Programme Steering Committee. The Committee has been
tasked to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and For-
est Degradation and to enhance Environmental Services
(REDDES).
The Committee held its first maiden meeting in Yoko-
hama, Japan in April, 2008.
Dr. E. Foli has also been appointed member of the Na-
tional Steering Committee on REDD and the first meeting
of the Committee was held in Accra on 15th May, 2009.
Management and staff wish to say “WELL DONE” to
Dr. Foli and wish him success in all his endeavours.
DR. FOLI REPRESENTS
GHANA ON ITTO
Page 6 FORIG NEWS
The West Africa Forest Programme Office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) contracted FORIG to construct a 25m3 Solar Kiln dryer for wood carvers at the Aburi Industrial Centre, Aburi. This was led by Mr. J. K. Appiah of the Wood Industry and Trade Unit of FORIG. The solar kiln dryer was successfully completed and commissioned on April 16, 2009.
The dryer will be used by the wood carvers to dry wood carvings at the required moisture content making the carvings more durable and less susceptible to mould and insect attack.
FORIG CONSTRUCTS SOLAR KILN DRYER AT ABURI
Solar kiln dryer Mr. J. K. Appiah
REVIVAL OF FORNESSA
In order to revive FORNESSA, a networking week was
held in Blantyre, Malawi from 22nd to 26th June, 2009.
The workshop assembled and engaged 35 middle career
and top level forest scientists from various sub regions of
Africa. The main objective of the workshop was to re-
vitalize FORNESSA and form alliances. There were
three substantive activities during the week. These were:
• Thematic Workshop
• FORNESSA Information Service and
• Heads of Institutions Meetings
The thematic workshop focused on four themes. These
were Forests and Climate Change, Forests and Poverty
Alleviation, Forest Policy and Governance, Forest Prod-
ucts Utilisation and Marketing. The workshop was at-
tended by Dr. Victor Agyeman, Dr. Ernest Foli, Dr. D.
Blay Jnr and Dr. Emmanuel Marfo. Others were, Dr. Mrs.
Darko-Obiri, Mrs. Stella B. Acquah and Dr. Joseph Cob-
binah, Coordinator of FORNESSA.
The idea to establish a web site for FORNESSA called
FORNESSA Information Service (FORNIS) was intro-
duced. FORNIS will provide a gateway for African Scien-
tists to showcase their contributions towards the achieve-
ment of the global objectives on forests. It will also sup-
port information and knowledge management systems and
facilitate efficient and effective flow of scientific informa-
tion amongst researchers, research institutions, policy
makers, forest industry and forest communities.
Dr. V. K. Agyeman, Director of FORIG was elected as
Chair of FORNESSA, Dr. B. Darko-Obiri as moderator
for the Forest Utilisation/Products/Trade thematic group
and Mrs. S. B. Acquah as FORNIS webmaster for Sub
Saharan Africa.
IUFRO & ITTO CORNER
Phone: 233 51 60123
233 51 60122
Fax: 233 51 60121
Email: [email protected]
To send in articles, please use [email protected]
Fo res t ry Res ea rc h I ns t i t u te o f
G h a na
P. O . B o x 63
K NUS T
K UMAS I ,
G h a na
Editorial Team
Mrs Margaret Sraku-Lartey
Mrs Naomi Appiah
Mrs Stella Britwum Acquah
IUFRO MEETINGS
20 - 25 September, 2009
International Conference on Multipurpose Forest Management
Niigata, Japan
Contact: Satoshi Tatsuhara
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.iufro.org/events/calendar/current
CIFOR Conference
For a full list of IUFRO events, please visit http://www.cifor.cigar.org/Events/CIFOR/diversitas_conference.htm
13 - 16 October, 2009
Biodiversity and Society: Understanding Connections, Adapting To Change
Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: Maison Buffon
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.diversitas-osc.org or www.diversitas-international.org
Calendar of meetings was reproduced from IUFRO & CIFOR News.
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