Naa Bettey Nelson
31 October 2008
The Netherlands Ambassador, Lidi Remmelzwaal has said that her country is committed to support Ghana in the effort to reduce the cost of fighting environmental degradation, which is currently hovering around 10% of GDP.
She made this known at the commissioning of Twelve Fire Tenders for the fighting of wildfires, and ICT equipments worth 8 million Euros for the Forestry Commission under the Wildfire Management Project (WMP).
She explained that environmental challenges in the light of climate change means that we should work together and combine our efforts to achieve the best for Ghana and the world at large.
According to the Ambassador, the WMP was aimed at rehabilitating forests through wildlife prevention and control. The project was also part of a sector-wide approach by the forestry sector.
"The project is unique in its cooperation with other government and non government organizations, showing the complexity of reducing and controlling wildfires. The Forestry Commission and RMSC can be recommended by the efforts of involving all stakeholders in a variety of issues such as awareness raising and public warning systems, addressing the role of fire in farming systems, green firebreaks and fire detection systems", she added.
She cited that the donation of the fire tenders is an example of close cooperation between the private sector and the government of Ghana. She stressed that the first outcome of the project evolution showed good result in reducing the wildfire in the transitional zone.
The Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Esther Obeng-Dappah expressed her profound gratitude to the ambassador for the kind gesture. She said the procurement of the tenders was the first of its kind in the history of the forest management in Ghana.
She emphasized that the design and development of the fire tenders was a collaborative effort between Ghanaian experts from Ghana National Fire Service, Forestry Commission and also Messrs Transit Motors and Kenbri companies in the Netherlands.
She assured the government and people of the Netherlands that all equipment will be put to good use to ensure significant reduction in wildfires, improvement in livelihoods and improvement of the global environment.
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