Okyenhene Warns Timber Operators

The Okyenhene, Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin, has warned timber operators to stop destroying the natural forest by cutting the trees.

He said if the ecology is well protected Ghana could earn as much without causing any harm to the trees in the forest.

Speaking at the launching of Eco-Fest 2002, Nana pledged that he would do everything humanly possible to protect the small trees and the entire forest in his jurisdiction by changing the forest to a tourist attraction centre.

He stated that Eco-Fest, which is a new non-governmental organisation based in Okyeman, would seek to address environmental problems.

He stressed the need for the creation of an environmental space for developing countries.

The deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Nana Akomea, on his part, said the ministry will support organisations that will be committed to protecting the environment.

He said due to environmental destruction, all the major rivers which supply drinking water in the country are drying up, adding that the lakes will never come to its level as it was somewhere in 1990.

He pointed out that due to ecological destruction all the wild animals have been destroyed whilst the 8 million hectres of forest in Ghana had reduced to 2 million, adding that the reservation of the forest is the priority of the ministry.

Nana Fredua Agyeman, Asomkahene of Okyeman, on his part, said Ghana can get as much as ?308 million per every two months if the trees are allowed to grow within their own pace.

He said there are associations in the world whose members' main job is to climb tall trees for pleasure and pay money.

With this, he said, $56 billion could be generated from plant medicine per year.