By J. K. Nabary
Gomoa Kweikrom (C/R), April 28, GNA — Chiefs of Gomoa Kweikrom have called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission to gazette the Kwiedabanyi Forest Reserve to protect it from encroachment and degradation by sand winners.
They described the continued invasion of the forest and its buffer zones by individuals as unacceptable, warning that the rapid destruction of the area posed serious environmental risks.
According to the chiefs, the forest contains several tourist attractions and should be properly protected. They argued that if the government is no longer interested in developing it, it should be returned to its rightful owners to be used for ventures that benefit the community, rather than allowing individuals to encroach on it.
Nana Akor Eshiro IV, Oman Obatan of Gomoa Kweikrom, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after inspecting a sand-winning site that is degrading the forest and environment.
He explained that the Kwiedabanyi Forest belongs to the people of Kweikrom, with the Yoku Number Two family as custodians under the Kweikrom Traditional Council for centuries.
Nana Eshiro recalled that at a traditional council meeting in 1982, officials from the Forestry Commission requested the forest for use as a reserve, recreation centre and tourist site—a proposal the community accepted.
“We agreed that it should be managed by the Forestry Commission as they are capable of protecting forests, and their purpose was a laudable venture,” he said.
He added that in 1992, additional portions of the forest were handed over to the government following another agreement, with the then Odikro, Nana Kwei XIII, as a signatory to a memorandum of understanding.
However, he noted that between 2017 and 2018, it came to the attention of the chiefs that individuals had begun operating in the forest. Investigations revealed that the forest had not been officially gazetted, enabling encroachers to degrade it.
He lamented that despite several engagements with the Commission, the situation persists, with authorities allegedly showing little concern.
Nana Eshiro, who is also Apasimakahen of the Gomoa Assin Traditional Area, disclosed that several letters had been sent to the Assembly, but no action had been taken.
He said the District office of the National Disaster Management Organisation had been informed about the destruction caused by sand winners, timber contractors and developers. Although “stop work/remove” orders were issued on some structures, encroachers have ignored the directives.
“We are calling on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission to protect, gazette it, acquire title and arrest and prosecute persons involved in its encroachment and degradation to serve as a deterrent,” Nana Eshiro said.
He assured that the chiefs were ready to support efforts to reclaim and protect the forest before the situation worsens.
“We are peace-loving people and are waiting patiently to see action from the Commission, but we will not hesitate to advise ourselves if necessary,” he cautioned.
When contacted, Ms Comfort Enima, Winneba District Manager of the Forestry Commission, confirmed the chiefs’ concerns.
She questioned why the forest was being sold and by whom, describing the situation as detrimental to both present and future generations.
Ms Enima emphasised that protecting the forest is a shared responsibility and urged chiefs to support government efforts by reporting individuals engaged in illegal activities for appropriate action.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Audrey Dekalu