AUGUSTINE AFFUM

Directed integrated management of a 3,500-hectare commercial plantation, providing strategic leadership across silviculture, harvesting, infrastructure, fire management, safety, security, and administration.

Led and supervised a workforce of 420 personnel (120 permanent, 300 contractors), fostering team development and promoting 8 key personnel into higher roles, including 2 Supervisors to Forester positions and 5 Management Trainees to Plantation Supervisor positions.

Served as Fire Incident Commander for over five years, coordinating fire preparedness and response across 3,500 hectares with 5 firefighting units, achieving a 30% reduction in incidents and over 7 years without a recorded wildfire.

Maintained zero fatalities over a five-year period for approximately 420 employees, ensuring safety performance below company targets (DIFR and DISR).

Served as lead representative for Form Ghana in annual FSC certification audits, securing continuous certification through 2026 and leading corrective actions for non-conformities related to invasive species and erosion.

Supervised the rehabilitation of 252 km of plantation roads and constructed 8 bridges (5 concrete, 3 timber), significantly improving wet-terrain access and timber transportation efficiency.

Managed Form Ghana's operational fleet of 24 vehicles and heavy equipment units, optimizing utilization for plantation, harvesting, transportation, infrastructure, and fire-management activities.

Applied advanced GPS, compass, and GIS/mapping techniques to establish concession boundaries and map critical plantation blocks, roads, harvesting areas, firebreaks, compartments, and inventory plots.

Planned, coordinated, and supervised plantation establishment, silviculture, and forest management activities, ensuring timely execution and compliance with technical and operational standards.

Prepared and managed monthly operational budgets and cash-flow requirements, ensuring effective resource allocation and stringent cost control.

Managed comprehensive fire prevention, preparedness, and suppression operations across the Tain II plantation, establishing and operationalizing firefighting teams.

Trained and mentored potential plantation managers, supervisors, and forestry personnel, strengthening technical competence and leadership capacity across the organization.

Planned and supervised forest road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance to enhance plantation access, harvesting, transportation, and fire response capabilities.

Monitored field performance, identified operational risks, and implemented corrective measures to significantly improve productivity, safety, quality, and cost efficiency.

Coordinated effectively with contractors, local communities, forestry personnel, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of plantation activities.

Supported sustainable forest management practices and ensured compliance with applicable forestry and environmental requirements.

Coordinated demarcation and mapping of forest reserve lease areas, supporting accurate identification of plantation boundaries and preparation of operational maps.

Monitored and supervised plantation establishment and silvicultural activities, ensuring strict adherence to approved technical standards and operational plans.

Supported forest fire prevention, preparedness, protection, and firefighting operations to effectively reduce plantation fire risks.

Trained and mentored employees in nursery management, plantation establishment, and silvicultural practices, enhancing team capabilities.

Monitored field activities, identified operational challenges, and supported the implementation of corrective measures to improve overall plantation performance.

Collaborated closely with forestry teams and field personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and timely execution of plantation operations.

Supported plantation monitoring, reporting, and operational planning activities, contributing to data-driven decision-making.

Performed diverse technical and operational duties assigned by management, demonstrating adaptability and broad expertise.

Supported Forest Range Supervisors in planning, monitoring, and implementing routine forest management activities across the district.

Conducted field monitoring for illegal activities, forest encroachment, and unauthorized harvesting, reporting findings to supervisors for action.

Prepared monthly operational reports, accurately documenting field activities, observations, challenges, and progress.

Assisted with the preparation and issuance of Plantation Production Certificates for timber harvesting contractors, ensuring compliance with applicable forestry procedures.

Supported forest protection inspections and other field-based forest management activities, contributing to overall forest integrity.