FORESTRY COMMISSION TECHNICAL PROCEDURE FOR TIMBER RESOURCES ALLOCATION IN GHANA COMPILED BY KWAKYE AMEYAW, OPERATIONS MANAGER- FOREST SERVICES DIVISION 1.0 Once a Timber Utilization Contract has been awarded to a concessionaire, there is a laid down technical procedure to be followed to enable the concessionaire gain access tothe Forest Reserve to commence exploitation.  

1.1 STOCK SURVEYS A stock survey is usually undertaken before permission is granted to a concessionaire to exploit the annual logging areas of a TUC in forest reserves. The main purpose of the stock survey is to establish the current stocking of the exploitable trees as well as those of the replacement crop. It is also to provide information on the location of the exploitable trees so as to ensure the proper layout of roads and skid trails The most important use of the stock survey data is to produce stock maps, calculate the volume of the exploitable trees and mark out the selected trees in the field.

e. Stock maps are prepared showing the species, diameter size class and position of all trees above 50cm diameter at breast height (DBH). f. Trees are numbered in the field on the map. Key features of the landscape such as rivers are also shown from the stock of map. Trees to be felled are currently allocated according to an interim yield formula based on minimum diameter limits, site and general distribution of trees and species.

Once the approved yield is released to the TUC holder, and felling commences the Range Supervisors are mandated to conduct post-felling inspection and tree volume calculation after which conveyance certificates are issued to justify the transportation of the logs.

1.2 CONTROL AND MONITORING OF LOGGING OPERATIONS These are guided by the prescription in the Ghana logging manual which is the legally recognised reference material to guide logging operation in Ghana a) Constant monitoring is a required standard for sustainable logging practice. b) This is to ensure early detection of deviations in practices and negative effects of implementation of prescriptions for quick corrective measures. c) Essentially, control and monitoring cover activities relating to the planning and implementation phases of logging.

Logging practice in Ghana requires six monthly audits for property mark renewal and immediately following the completion of logging. In any on-reserve compartment, an inspection is required in order to provide a basis for the issuance of a logging compartment closure completion certificate.

1.3 TYPES OF FIELD ASSESSMENT There are two types of field assessments namely: Timber Harvesting Assessment Penalties 1. Timber Harvesting assessments These consist of four assessments which are: a) Monitoring of timber harvested in current felling areas so as to ensure that operations adhered to quantities and species of trees approved for felling. Matters of concern are: i maintenance of full records of all operations. ii and timber extracted, compliance with regulations regarding to non-return to felling areas by contractors after initial iii completion of harvesting. iv adherence to schedule of harvesting with no felling areas being entered prior to the defined start date

2. Penalties This has to do with the corrective actions that have to be taken when harvesting operations are carried out in violation of the provisions of the logging manual. In such an event, the operation may be suspended until such a time that, corrective measures are completed and that adequate precautions have been taken.

1.4 Logging practice inspection This is done to ensure that logging standards are strictly adhered to. Matters of concern to the Forest Services Division in off-reserve situations include i. conformity of logging with environmental quality ii. minimisation to crop damage, adherence to the annual plan. Environmental Assessment is based on the timber operational specification and 5-year T.U.C plan

1.5 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT This is an activity facilitated by FSD to ensure that both land owners and timber companies abide by t he deeds of an agreement that will lead to healthy working relationships. The Social Responsibility Agreement involves the provision of some amenities to the communities in whose area timber exploitation is being carried out by timber companies. However, the provision of these amenities is done in consultation with members of the communities.

2.0 LOGGING IN OFF RESERVE AREAS The off-reserve timber resource is not secure. There is therefore the need to carefully plan to achieve as near a sustainable cut as possible. Using the off-reserve pre-felling inspection results as basis, the Forest Services Division prepares the yield, which set the total number of trees to be felled in an a permit area. This was previously based on the quota system. Once the yield has been released, The Regional and District Monitoring Teams have a joint responsibility to ensure that no fellings are done outside the approved yield. In place of the quota system, trees that are being destroyed through farming and chain sawing activities are being salvaged on the basis of salvage permits that are approved by the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission.

2.1 CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE LOGGING IN GHANA Persistent wild fires leading to high Tree mortality rate and general forest degradation in fire prone areas Illegal mining activities Illegal logging operation in Ghana Illegal farming leading to destruction of vulnerable timber Over capacity of the industry triggering engagement of the machines in illegitimate timber operations which has culminated in an alarming rate of deforestation An overall Dwindling Forest Resource Base

Inadequate funds/logistics for the effective monitoring of logging operations Increased population and corresponding increasing pressure on forest Violations of prescribed logging rules and regulations resulting in widespread logging infractions. Apparently uncontrolled production of chain sawn Lumber Tree depletion mostly outside Forest Reserves through slash and burn method of land cultivation.