Ghana forests under siege

…As Togolese, other nationals search for lumber

Scores of foreigners, some allegedly Togolese, have invaded forest zones near Zabzugu in the Norther Region and are damaging the environment.

Residents of the area said they have lodged numerous complaints with officials of the district assembly, security agencies and traditional authorities, yet no action has been taken.

Some concerned residents who spoke to The Ghanaian Times alleged that some security officials and chiefs were aiding the wrongdoers.

The forest zones included Nayili, Sabari, Jankuyili and Kandi, all in the Zabzugu District.

The Assemblyman for Zabzugu South, Abdulai Ahmed Shirage, added that illegal chainsaw operators have destroyed the environment as they loaded their long vehicles with logs and drive daily on the routes.

He bemoaned illegal activities by the foreigners and explained their acts do not only endanger the people in the district but the country as a whole.

Mr. Shirage said all efforts to stop the criminal acts of the foreigners had proven futile.

The assemblyman indicated that anytime, assembly members raised the issue of the illegal chainsaw operators at the assembly's meetings, the authorities gave flimsy excuses.

He said the unlawful activities of the foreigners had also increased poverty among the natives.

Mr. Shirage lamented that what had been worrisome was the fact that security personnel in the district had been lukewarm and failed to arrest the illegal chainsaw operation.

Yussif Issah, a resident of the area also complained bitterly about the activities of the illegal chainsaw operators and said “these illegal activities of the foreigners are affront and insult to the people of the country particularly public officers in the area.

The DCE for Zabzugu, Mr. Abdul-Wahab Umar, when contacted confirmed that the illegal activities were going on.

“The assembly has been battling with these illegal chainsaw operators for some time now,” he stated.

The DCE also blamed the problem on some of the chiefs in the district, alleging that some, of the traditional rulers were conniving with the foreigners to deplete the forest in the area.