By Alex Baah Boadi
Sefwi-Wiawso (WN/R), March 21, GNA – The Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Council in the Western North Region, has appealed to the government to deploy military men in forest reserves in the area, to prevent further depletion.
The Traditional council said, a good number of illegal loggers had encroached the forest reserves and were falling trees indiscriminately, just for their parochial interest at the detriment of the Council and state in general.
At a press conference, Nana Kwasi Gyabeng II, the Chief of Denkyemuasue and Absemhene for the Wiawso Traditional Council said, “what is even alarming is the fact that the illegal loggers have hired macho men with rifles and other weapons who threatened the concessionaires”.
He alleged that the acts of these macho men had led to the killing of three persons with the case currently pending with the Ghana police.
Nana Kwasi Gyabeng continued that local Timber contractors with their license were prevented from entering the Forest by the gunmen leaving the fate of their businesses and workers in jeopardy.
“This is a serious security threat, and the President must step in”.
He expressed worry about the rate at which the forest was been destroyed, describing the situation as a major concern to the council.
He said in view of that the traditional council could not sit unconcerned as the valuable legacy for its younger generation and its major source of income in the form of loyalties, was destroyed.
“We therefore urged the government to consider our suggestion to use the military to bring the activities of illegal loggers to an end”.
Nana Gyabeng noted that if care was not taken, even the replanted tress by the government would be cut down by the illegal loggers, denying the nation of the needed revenue.
GNA
JP/CAA