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The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda has appealed to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to assist Ghana to reclaim its forest lands.

He expressed worry about the fast rate of the depletion of the nation's natural resources, especially its forest cover which he blamed on the rapid population growth.

Alhaji Dauda made the call yesterday when the new African Regional representative of FAO, Musa Saihou Mbenya, paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Accra.

He asked for assistance for farming practices in Ghana, particularly in the area of technology to improve farm yields and reduce the pressure on lands.

'What we need now is the type of agriculture that requires less land so that people will stop encroaching on our forest reserves,' he stated.

Alhaji Dauda called for more collaboration between the FAO and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in the sustainable management of the country's forest reserves.

Mr. Mbenga assured the Minister of FAO's readiness to assist the country to improve its agricultural practices.

Though not a donor organisation, he said the FAO can assist the country to solicit for funds for some of its programmes, especially those aimed at protecting the natural resources.