Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor ll, Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area in in the central Gonja District of the Savannah Region says the Traditional Area will collaborate with stakeholders to stop illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning and commercial fuel wood harvesting activities in the area.
He said these illegal activities had caused extensive damage to the environment, and threaten global warming with debilitating socio-economic consequences.
The chief said this during a consultative meeting held on Friday April 30,2021, on measures to be taken to curb the menace of depleting the environment through illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning and fuel wood harvesting activities happening with impunity in the area and the region at large.
Buipewura Jinapor ll said these illegal activities had negatively affected the socio-economic development of the area and destroyed the few economic trees in our communities.
The Traditional Area through his leadership will, therefore, not shield anyone involved in these illegal businesses regardless of their political persuasion or social status, he said.
“The decision taken by the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs to ban these illegal activities has no association with any political party but a decision taken to protect our forest cover from depletion”the chief warned.
He called on the District Assembly and other stakeholders to support the Traditional Area and the region at large to stamp out the activities of illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning and fuel wood harvesting activities in the area.
He said traditional rulers, security agencies, and even ordinary people must have a role to play in fighting the menace to protect the environment for generations yet unborn.
The chief therefore directed that the Buipe charcoal park has henceforth been closed and called for a formation of a task force in the district to help fight against these illegal activities which are causing massive destructions to our environment.
Hon. Mustapha Mahama, DCE for central Gonja District speaking at the forum indicated that the menace of illegal logging among others has been a major concern in the area due to its repurcussions on the environment.
He said government is making tremendous efforts in ensuring that the menace is stopped in area.
The DCE on behalf of the president of the country Nana Akufo Addo commended the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs for their bold decision taken to curb these illegal activities in the region and promise them of his full support in making sure that these acts are eliminated.
According to the DCE the negative effects of these illegal activities cannot be overlooked including global warming, corruption, deforestation and poverty among others and the need for consultative engagements to halt these illegal activities.
He appealed to all sons and daughters of the Savannah Region to help fight against the menace to protect the environment for the future generation.
The Savannah Regional House of Chiefs through a communique issued to the Savannah Regional minister and signed by Bolewura Sarfo Kutuge Feso, Paramount Chief of the Bole Traditional Area on 28th April, 2021, ruled that illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning and fuel wood harvesting have been banned in the region effective Monday, May 10, 2021.
Source: yagbonradioonline
