Minister calls for the rehabilitation of old houses

Asiakwa (E/R), June 5, GNA- The Minister for Environment and Science, Professor Kasim Kasanga has called for the rehabilitation of dilapidated houses in the centres of towns and villages for settlement requirements and make land being used for new settlements for farming. This was contained in a speech read for him at a durbar of chiefs organised at Asiakwa on Thursday to climax the Fourth Okyeman Environmental Week celebration.

Professor Kasanga suggested that each town and village should make proper land use plan in order to obtain maximum benefit for lands. He observed that some unscrupulous people engage chainsaw operators and other wildlife hunters to remove from traditional groves and other protected areas important plant and animal species into extinction thus creating environmental hazards.

Professor Kasanga therefore appealed to Okyeman to ensure sustainable use of the environmental resources in their area. He called for efforts to plant bamboo in wetlands along water areas to help protect the water bodies.

The Adontenhene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kena Ampaw who represented the Okyenhene appealed to chainsaw operators in the area to stop their illegal activities.

He urged the chiefs in the area to continue the campaign against the illegal chainsaw operations and farming along the riverbanks. 5 June 04