Dr Hugh Brown shaking hands with the Ga Mantse
The newly appointed Acting Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission (FC), Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, has led a high-powered delegation to the Ga Mantse Palace to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council.
The visit, which marked Dr. Brown’s first official engagement with traditional leadership since assuming office, was to formally introduce him and reaffirm the Commission’s longstanding ties with the Ga State. The Ga Mantse himself is a proud member of the forestry fraternity, a fact that underscored the significance of the occasion.
In his remarks, Dr. Brown acknowledged the symbolic and cultural importance of the visit, noting that the Commission’s corporate headquarters sits on Ga land. “It is imperative and just to seek the blessings and prayers of the overlord in administering stewardship and sustainability of the management and protection of the country’s forest resources,” he said.
He assured His Royal Majesty of the Commission’s continued collaboration with the Palace on social interventions aimed at fostering development for the Ga people. Dr. Brown further highlighted the important role of traditional authorities in the execution of FC’s mandate over the years, particularly in forest management and protection.
In response, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Dr. Brown as Acting CEO. He advised the new FC head to lead with humility and love, and encouraged teamwork within the institution, stressing that “it is the collective duty of all and sundry to see the Commission succeed.”
The Ga Mantse also called on the Forestry Commission to support the Palace’s foundations, which he described as playing a vital role in advancing health, environmental, and sanitation initiatives.
As a gesture of goodwill, the delegation presented drinks, bottles of schnapps, and a cheque of GHC100,000 to support the Ga Mantse’s flagship fund dedicated to health, environmental, and sanitation projects.
Prayers and blessings were later invoked on Dr. Brown and his team by Numo Akwaa Mensa III, Chief Priest of the Ga State.
Accompanying the CE, were some key members of the FC management team, notably: Dr. Joseph Boakye, Executive Director, WD, Dr. Richard Gyimah, Acting Executive Director, TIDD, Dr. Joseph Adu-Mintah, Director, ICT, Dr. Joseph Appiah-Gyapong, Acting Director, Climate Change, Michael Akowuah, Manager, Legal, Dan Adu, Head, Public Relations, FSD, Dr. Ben Torgbor, Manager, Plantations, Henry Akotey, Regional Accountant Ms. Luisatu Fuseini, PR Officer, FSD, Samuel Okai, Administrator, and Samuel Asiamah Asare, District Manager, Plantations.
Dr. Brown reiterated FC’s commitment to deepening collaboration with traditional leaders across the nation, stressing that sustainable natural resource governance depends on strong partnerships and community participation.
Story by: DAN ADU.
