The Chief Executive (CE) of Forestry Commission (FC), Dr. Hugh Brown, has honoured exceptional staff members for their dedication and outstanding performance at the CE’s End of Year Briefing and Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony 2025.

Held at the FC Auditorium, the event brought together staff from the Commission’s various divisions nationwide in a vibrant atmosphere of celebration and appreciation, enlivened by performances from the FC Choir and DB International Band. Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Hon. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana; the Director of Communications, MLNR, Madam Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia; members of the Board, Acting Deputy Chief Executives, and the Executive Management Team (EMT) of the Commission.

Dr. Abdul-Nasir Abubakar, Acting (Ag.)Director of Human Resources of FC , delivered the welcome address, highlighting reflection, gratitude, and recognition at the event. He thanked God for a successful year, and encouraged staff to take stock of their responsibilities while striving for positive impact in the year ahead. Dr. Abubakar emphasised the importance of staff recognition as a tool for motivation and excellence, congratulated award recipients for their dedication to the Commission’s mission, and urged all staff to uphold integrity, teamwork, and result-oriented performance in 2026 and beyond.

Mr Isaac Essien, Esq. , Chairman of the FC Board, who also served as the Chairman for the day’s event, remarked that he deemed it an honour to do so. “This ceremony is about the recognition of the commitment of the men and women whose daily efforts safeguard our forests and strengthen national development ”, he stated as he commended the arduous duty of FC staff throughout the year even in the face of dire challenges. He accepted the call to chair the programme, congratulated all award recipients and urged all to enjoy the events.

During his address, Dr. Brown highlighted significant achievements in forest governance, restoration, and institutional strengthening.He reported notable progress under the government’s Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, which restored over 65,000 hectares of degraded landscapes and facilitated the planting of more than 26 million tree seedlings nationwide, creating over 41,000 green jobs. Dr. Brown also announced major gains in the fight against illegal mining in forest reserves, revealing that no forest reserve remained in the “red zone” as at December 2025, following intensified law enforcement operations that led to the seizure and confiscation of mining equipment and the arrest of hundreds of suspects. He took the opportunity to commend staff for delivering results despite various challenges and paid tribute to three departed colleagues who had lost theirs lives in the line of duty.

Dr. Hugh Brown further outlined improvements in human resource development, staff welfare, and capacity building, including the training of over 1,000 staff, promotion of staff across the Commission, and the expansion of professional training through the Forestry Commission Training Centre. In timber regulation, Ghana, according to the CE ,recorded a historic milestone with the issuance of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences, positioning the country as the first in Africa and second globally to access the EU market with verified legal timber. He also noted steady growth in ecotourism, with visitor numbers exceeding annual targets and new infrastructure developments underway at key protected areas. Looking ahead, the Chief Executive announced strategic reforms aimed at strengthening forest protection and governance, including the review of the Forestry Commission Act, expansion of ecotourism sites and enhanced stakeholder engagement. He commended staff for their dedication and resilience and expressed confidence that the foundations laid in 2025 would drive even greater progress in Ghana’s forest and wildlife sector in the years ahead.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister,MLNR , Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Hon. Alhaji Sulemana conveyed the Minister’s apologies for his absence due to other official duties and expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication that sustained the Forestry Commission throughout the year. He described the occasion as a time for reflection, thanksgiving and unity and underscored the importance of love, forgiveness, teamwork, and shared responsibility. Hon. Alhaji Sulemana encouraged staff to set purposeful goals aligned with the Commission’s mandate and assured them of the Ministry’s continued support. He concluded by calling for strong collaboration between the FC Board and Management, wished all staff a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

This was followed by several rounds of presentation of awards, in which the award-recipients were each presented with a citation ,plaque, cash prize of GH¢5,000, and an option of a refrigerator, television, or chest freezer in recognition of their exemplary service.

To bring the delightful day to a close, Mr. Essien, Esq. in his closing remarks commending the FC Choir for their remarkable performances , bringing the work year to a refreshing end. He declared support for a strengthened partnership among the MLNR, the FC Board, Management of the Commission and its stakeholders to achieve FC’s mandate in the new year. He admonished all present to enjoy the Yuletide and return with renewed enthusiasm to achieve a prosperous new year.

The following staff were awarded at the event:

Forest Services Division
Franklin Sunu – Chief Resource Guard
Josiah Badu Twum – Forest Range Manager
Stephen Darko- Forest Range Manager
Daniel Attah Gyau – Forest Range Manager
Lydia Lamasi Basiebon – Regional Human Resource Officer
Dorcas Nyama Asiamah – District Manager
Faustina Animah -District Manager
Robert Adomako Asare – Deputy District Manager
Stephen Tawiah Eshun – Chief Driver
Emmanuel Yoobe Konlan – Chief Resource Guard
Akim Oda Stock Survey Team

Wildlife Division
Dr. Polycarp Wuldefaar Maabier – Park Manager
Emmanuel Agyare – District Manager
Mawuena Abla Yebuah – Administrative Officer

Timber Industry Development Division
Eric Obiaw – Timber Inspector
Wepiah Rose Manu – Timber Inspector

Corporate Headquarters
Charles Tawiah Onumah – Manager, TRAU
Robert Emmanuel Ghansah – Forest Range Manager, CPME

Deborah Oduro – Administrative Officer, FCTC
Raymond Nonnatus Votere – District Manager, RMSC
Juliana Ewudor Debrah – Resouce Guard, BRU