The Forestry Commission has launched two digital platforms that allow registration and renewal of property marks to be completed in a day, instead of two months.
The platforms are expected to help end frustrations and bureaucracies associated with the exercise by timber merchants.
Property mark is a registration which assigns a unique identity to timber contractor in all dealings with the Forestry Commission.
The platforms allow registrants to complete all registration and renewal of property marks in the comfort of their homes and offices.
The Forestry Commission also introduced apps, developed by its staff, that allow officials to monitor and track wood in the forest electronically.
Speaking at the launch of the online platforms at Achiawkrom near Ejisu, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey spoke of the frustrations timber contractors go through.
“Contractor who for instance operates in 3 regions and 5 districts will have to go to all the 5 districts to physically present the required documents and obtain clearance at all the districts. And he or she would have to do this twice in a year. Averagely, information from the industry indicates that it takes about 2-months to go through this process.”
But according to Mr. Allotey, contractors can now heave a sigh of relief.
“With these new applications, it would be possible to renew this property mark in a day in any district of your choice.”
Industry players, like the Forestry Industry Association of Ghana and the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation, spoke of how they intend to cash in on the new platforms.
President of the Forestry Industry Association of Ghana, Richard Kwabena Nsenkyire, expressed gratitude for the new apps.
“The introduction of this innovative digitalized platforms is a welcome intervention for the industry. The timber industry has for many years been under the burden of operating under a purely paper-based environment.
“The time consuming nature of renewing property marks and the constant request for information by one unit or department of the Forestry Commission that might already be in the custody of another division has been some of the challenges we have to contend with,” he said.
“The introduction of these innovative platforms is a good indication of how collaboration with the Forestry Commission to address business challenges of the industry is beginning to yield dividends,” he added.
Representing the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation, Dr. Kwame Adam said, “It is the hope of the industry that electronic wood tracking system has come to remove all the challenges associated with the documentation of timber harvesting and timber product transportation.”
Latest Stories
-
The Attorney General vs NDC impasse – why they ‘fight’
6 mins -
High Court orders teacher unions to end strike
8 mins -
‘He worked with all staff irrespective of their status’ – GRA hails Dr Ammishaddai
14 mins -
Zack Orji underwent two brain surgeries; he is fine – Actors Guild of Nigeria President
36 mins -
Another accident leaves 5 police officers injured in Nsawam
39 mins -
I’ve really worked well as Veep; vote for me as President – Bawumia to traders
46 mins -
There’s something mysteriously amiss somewhere about ongoing ‘dumsor’ – Gabby Otchere-Darko
60 mins -
South Africa: Team Western Cape wins National Primary School Track and Field Championships
1 hour -
Chale Wote Street Art Festival: A call for artists ahead of 2024 edition
3 hours -
Floods: We’re exposed but my team and I are ‘running’ to catch up – Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
5 traits of sweet, committed men that may seem like red flags at first
5 hours -
We met on Twitter and our first date was a week-long road trip
5 hours -
The biggest mistake people make when meeting someone in person after talking online
5 hours -
I traveled 500 miles for a first date
5 hours -
My cousin saved my life and she never knew
5 hours