CUSTOMERS & SERVICES

(a) the Nation, Government and general public

(b) landowners, farmers and forest fringe communities:

(c) Regional Co-ordinating Councils and District Assemblies:

(d) contractors

(e) public institutions and donor agencies

(f) non-governmental organisations

(g) non-commercial tree growers and wildlife-based enterprise developers

(h) commercial tree growers, the private sector and the general public

Our Aims

Our aims are: (i) to meet the needs of all customers as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible; and (ii) to help everyone use Ghana's forests and wildlife resources in the most beneficial way, both to themselves and to the environment.

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For landowners, farmers and forest fringe communities:

• conserve and develop your forest and wildlife resources, preparing management plans together with you
  
• monitor the condition and extent of the nation’s forest and wildlife resources
  
• provide expert advice and technical services with regards to forest and wildlife protection, management and development
  
• provide technical assistance in the establishment of forest and wildlife-based enterprise by local communities
  
• issue Timber Utilisation Permits (TUPs) for community projects within one month of application
  
• draw up and manage all Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs), consulting with landowners and advising them on the Social Responsibility Agreements under these contracts
  
• collect fees for timber and other forest products harvesting within 30 days of billing
  
• distribute income collected for both reserve areas and off reserve areas to District Assemblies, Traditional Councils and Stool Land Owners before the end of the following quarter
  
• provide free information on forest wildlife fees and charges
  
• issue permits for hunting and harvesting of non timber forest products within seven days of receiving an application
  
• help farmers claim compensation from timber contractors for crop damage, letting them know in writing what action we are taking within 30 days of receiving a claim.
  
• take reasonable measures to minimise crop damage by wild animals in areas around wildlife protected areas
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For Regional Co-ordinating Councils and District Assemblies:

• offer free advice on how to conserve, manage and develop forest and wildlife resources
  
• advise on eco-tourism and other forest-based income generation potentials in your area
  
• provide free advice on how to develop District Forest and Wildlife Development Plans (fees will be charged for site-specific data capture and mapping)
  
• collect all income from use of forest and wildlife resources within 30 days of billing and distribute it before the end of the following quarter
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For contractors:

• vet and register contracts to market timber and other forest and wildlife products
  
• develop and disseminate appropriate industrial standards and trade guidelines for timber, wood and wildlife products
  
• conduct pre-shipment inspection and examination of timber, wood and wildlife products
  
• provide market intelligence to inform industry on pricing, trade and product trends
  
• vet and approve operational plans within two weeks of receiving them
  
• undertake stock survey and yield allocation for all Timber Utilisation Contract areas for a fee and carry out all relevant field and office work within seven weeks of receiving an application
  
• measure trees and issue TIFs within 48 hours of trees being felled
  
• issue conveyance certificates within 24 hours of notification
  
• prepare contractors’ bills, submitting them within ten days of the following month
  
• identify TUC areas in consultation with landowners
  
• renew, bona fide property marks within 72 hours of receiving an application
  
• provide technical advice subject to negotiated terms
  
• track, register and monitor bona fide chainsaw machine operators within seven days of receiving an application
  
• issue permits for salvaging trees and abandoned timber and wood products within two months of receiving an application
  
• advise on plantation and wildlife-based enterprise development
  
• provide training management and technical skills related to industries
  
• provide consulting services to facilitate capacity development within industry particularly for the promotion of value addition and development of lesser known species
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For public institutions and donor agencies:

• provide statistics and information on forest and wildlife management and development as well as industry in Ghana and issue an Annual Report within six months of the year’s end. We will provide other technical material when required. This will be free of charge within reasonable limits
  
• protect Reserves within catchment areas, providing the service on a subsidised basis
  
• provide technical advice subject to negotiated terms.
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For non-governmental organisations:

• provide information and statistics on forest and wildlife management and development as well as industry in Ghana
  
• provide technical material, including Manuals of Procedures at cost
  
• provide technical advice and assistance when required
  
• offer assistance in putting projects into practice and provide consultancy services for in-depth analysis, subject to negotiated terms.
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For non-commercial tree growers and wildlife-based enterprise developers:

• provide technical advice subject to negotiated terms
  
• maintain two model tree nurseries per region to promote quality practice in the private sector
  
• establish four pilot community based bushmeat production projects in Community-based Resource Management Areas (CREMA)
  
• provide seeds and animal breeding stock at cost
  
• make seedlings from model nurseries available to public agencies and landowners at cost.
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For commercial tree growers, the private sector and the general public:

• help ensure access to land in degraded forest reserve areas
  
• assist and advise on forest and wildlife related projects, including provision of seeds, breeding stocks and seedlings when available, subject to negotiated terms.
  
• provide technical support for the establishment and development of wildlife

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