TRAINING WORKSHOP ON UNDERLINING CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION OPENED.

A two day workshop on underlining causes of deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana is underway in Accra.Speaking at the workshop the CEO of HATOF Foundation Mr.Samuel Dotse said Deforetation had important implications for climate change. "This is because,forest play an important role in the climate system since there are major reservoirs of carbon containing some 80% of all the carbon stored in the soil".He said the alarming trends in global deforestation and forest degradation have spurred many initiatives and actions over the past decades. "Actors of the environment have become more aware of the major role tropical forests play and the important consequences they have in environmental,ecological,economic and socio-cultural settings". Outlining issues on deforestation and forest degradation he said forest was important in the growth of the Ghanaian economy especially the cultural life of her people and the quality of the environment.The Ghanaian forest sector contributes about 80% of foreign exchange earnings and provide livelihood for communitities and people.About 15% of the county's workforce are in both formal and informal sectors, despite its importance,tropical forest are being degraded.Mr. Dotse said the main underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation are demogrphic,soci-political and economic reasons. " It is important for government to help in formulating policies to solve such pending problems on our environment".He therefore cautioned Ghanains to do more to save the environment especially the forest reserve such as planting of more trees. Mr. Lambert Okrah and Adndrei Laletin delivered solidarity messages in context of the workshop agenda.The workshop will end today to help prepare a report on deforestation and forest degradation.

BY:Michael Amedor.