B/A Regional Minister has failed to protect forest reserves, take action now - Group to Akufo-Addo

A group calling itself Youth for Development Association (YDA) of Yamfo in the Tano North District of Brong Ahafo Region has accused the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh for failing to curb illegal loggers and Galamsey operators in the area.

In a petition issued on Monday, February 5, 2018 and copied to GhanaWeb, the group indicated that the Bosomkese Forest Reserve at Yamfo in the Tano North District which has been preserved for so many years, has been invaded by some illegal loggers and Galamsey operators.

In a petition, the group revealed that the Regional Minister was petitioned last year to deal with the menace but has failed to stop this illegal activities in the area.

The petition also revealed that same operation is currently ongoing at Acherensua Forest Reserve of the Asutifi South District.

The petition stated that the documentary evidence was presented to Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh and copied to interested parties in July 2017 but nothing has been done to it. "We regret to inform you that no action had

been taken on this issue by the above named persons and sadly, these illegal activities still persist at an

alarming rate".
"We are however afraid that if immediate steps are not taken to remedy the situation, the BOSOMKESE FOREST RESERVE which is a national asset, will suffer permanent and irreparable damage", the petition added.

The group is therefore calling on President Akufo-Addo

to as matter of urgency, assign the Forestry Commission and its taskforce, the National Security apparatus, Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to quickly move into the situation and stop the illegal logging and Galamsey activities.

President Akufo-Addo's government last year August launched a taskforce called 'Operation Vanguard' comprising the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to curb illegal mining activities in some parts of the country.

Below is the full petition
YAMFO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
[email protected]@yahoo.com
P.O. BOX1,Yamfo.B/A
BANKERS: NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK
Our Ref YYDA17/07/005 Thursday 1st February 2018.
Your Ref…………………………….

The President of the Republic of GHANA,
H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,
Flagstaff House,
Kanda, Accra.
Dear Sir,
PETITION TO INVESTIGATE ILLEGAL LUMBERING & GALAMSEYING IN THE BOSOMKESE FOREST RESERVE

(YAMFO).
Good day Sir. We hope this letter finds you in good health.

We write this letter to bring to your attention the alarming and reckless depletion of the Bosomkese Forest Reserve at YAMFO in the Brong Ahafo Region.

This is due to the operations of illegal loggers and galamseyers who have invaded the protected forest reserve.

Our checks reveal that these illegal loggers are harvesting the lumber for sale in Burkina Faso and beyond and it seems all our efforts at getting the issue resolved at the regional and district level has proved futile.

We have no option left than to bring the situationt to your attention in the hope that you will use your good

Office to bring action to bear to curb this menace once and for all. It is an undeniable fact that the forest cover of Ghana dwindles daily and it is in the nation’s interest to protect the remaining forest reserves in line

with your vision. We are how ever afraid that if immediate steps are not taken to remedy the situation, the BOSOMKESE FOREST RESERVE which is a national asset will suffer permanent and irreparable damage.

This forest reserve contains som every important tree, fauna and animal species and an immediate action will save them from total extinction.

Attached is an earlier petition and documentary evidence presented to the Brong Ahafo Regional minister Hon Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh and copied to interested parties in July 2017. We regret to inform you that no action has since been taken on this issue by the above named persons and sadly, these illegal activities still persist at an alarming rate.

Your Excellency, we humbly suggest that you assign the Forestry Commission and its task force, the National

Security apparatus, the security services namely; The Ghana Police Service, The Military High Command to quickly move into stop the illegal logging and galamsey activities that are threatening the survival of this very important Forest Reserve.

Thank you for your attention.
Humbly,
………………………….

MICHAEL BOAKYE NTORI.
Chairman, 0208555365
………………………….

NANA GYAMFI KUMANING
Vice Chairman,0244676123
……………………………

PRECIOUS BOATENG
P.R.O, 0205970770
Cc
CEO, National Forestry Commission, Accra.
Minister of Lands &Natural Resources, Accra.
Minister for Science & Environment, Accra.
The Regional Minister, Sunyani.
Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Council, YAMFO.
Regional Forestry Commission, Sunyani.
District Forestry Commission, Bechem.
District Chief Executive, Duayaw Nkwanta.
Source: Daniel Kaku