GIRAF HOLDS FORESTRY FORUM 24TH APRIL 2012 Civic Response, an implementer of the Government Initiative Right and Accountability for Forestry (GIRAF) in collaboration with Katchito Community Development Centre (KCODEC) a community Based Organization held a forestry forum with fringe communities and district level stakeholders in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. These organizations seek to promote transparency and accountability in forest governance. GIRAF is a 4 year project funded by the European Union and CARE International. It started in 2009 and will end in 2012. The project aims to increase public awareness in Ghana and enforcement of Forest law Enforcement and government (FLEG) through the promotion of platforms for multi-stakeholder dialogue and building the capacity of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to advocate and actively enhance good governance in the forest sector. The overall objective of the project is to ensure that forest resources in Ghana are sustainably managed and contributing to poverty reduction. GIRAF is being implemented in 90 communities made up of 30 districts within 6 regions namely; Northern, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Western and Volta Regions. The purpose of the forum was to discuss forestry issues and to engage duty bearers to demand accountability and transparency in the forestry. The forum is a follow up after a sensitization workshop for fringe communities around the mole national park and the forest reserves to assist them identify social issues that hinder their community development. It seeks to create a platform for community members through Community Forest Forum Members (CFF) to share their challenges with the District Forest Forum members who will intend discuss them at the regional level for onward deliberation at the national level. Issues emerged from the discussions included inadequate farm lands, limited women activities like picking of share nuts, chainsaw activities in the district, access to natural plant material, wildlife animal destruction of farms without adequate compensation, plants restricted species of trees, commercial charcoal burning as an alternative livelihood, destruction of farms by Fulani herdsmen, inconsistent agreement with farmers by forestry division, illegal chainsaw operation and Low level participation by community members on forestry issues among others. The forum brought together representatives from the traditional authority, security agency, youth groups, women groups and the five communities around the mole national park in the district. Facilitators of the forum included Mumuni Joseph Shaibu the programme coordinator (KCODEC) and Mr. Mahama Hubert. BY MISS REGINA ATULE (AG.DIO)