Lands Ministry Inaugurates Committee to Audit Timber Allocations from 2017 to 2025
A five-member Timber Allocation Audit Technical Committee has been inaugurated at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to review timber allocations issued between 2017 and 2025, amid growing concerns over the distribution of Ghana’s forest resources.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, has been tasked to commence work immediately, with a mandate to undertake a comprehensive and impartial assessment of past allocations.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Innocent Marcus Haligah, underscored the urgency of the exercise, describing it as critical to safeguarding a key national asset.
“This exercise is both timely and necessary. Our forest resources remain a critical national asset, and they must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner,” he stated.
The audit will focus on compliance with existing legal and regulatory frameworks, identification of potential irregularities, and a review of accountability mechanisms within the Forestry Commission.
Mr Sulemana, in his remarks, assured the Ministry of the committee’s readiness to deliver on its mandate, citing the expertise and integrity of its members.
He further called for full cooperation from the Forestry Commission and other relevant stakeholders, noting that timely access to information will be essential to the success of the audit exercise.
The committee’s work forms part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
