Forestry Commission (FC) says plans are underway to establish three more zoos in the country to help boost tourism.

The three zoos, according to the Commission will be established in Tamale, Koforidua, and Takoradi.

Speaking at the End of the Year's Executive Award 2022 in Tamale, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey said the Koforidua and Tamale sites have been identified and the necessary designs are being worked on while waiting for approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr. Allotey said the Takoradi site has been delayed due to unresolved land issues.

He said the purpose of the establishment of these additional zoos is to make Ghana a more attractive tourist destination and also to boast revenue generation.

Mr. Allotey added that there are construction works ongoing at Accra and Kumasi Zoos to upgrade them.

"The Commission has tasked the Management to refurbish Accra and Kumasi Zoos and I am happy to announce that the Commission is also working hard to establish three additional zoos in Koforidua, Takoradi and Tamale," Mr. Allotey said.

He called on private developers to partner with the Commission to establish more of such facilities across all 16 regions in the country.

The CEO said the Commission spent 69 percent of its total budget of GH₵384 million in 2022.

"During the year we budgeted for the revenue of GH₵384 million, as at the end of September, we have been able to receive 77 percent of this amount comprising of the Ghana government subvention, internally generated funds, and funds from our donor partners. In terms of expenditure, we budgeted for GH₵384 million which means that we wanted to spend all the revenue, the actual expenditure as we speak today is about 69 percent of that figure" Mr. Allotey said.

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio said the Green Ghana Project which was launched two years ago has come to stay and the Forestry Commission has worked hard to ensure its sustainability and protection of the trees planted.

He said the Ministry is also working hard to get a Wildlife Resource Management Bill passed by Parliament. Mr. Bio noted that the Ministry is also working to institute award schemes for regions that will perform well in curbing illegal mining and logging while sanctioning regions that will underperform in this regard.

"Recently I had to meet with the district and regional managers in mining districts and I charged them to be proactive in the fight against illegal mining in our forest reserves and their response has been very encouraging; I want to entreat all district and regional managers to work harder, the ministry will soon institute an award scheme for the best regions and districts that will score zero 'galamsey' and illegal logging in their areas. Similarly, there will also be heavy penalties for areas that will record high incidents of this menace" he said.