"Review Royalties' Disbursement"

Nana Kwesi Kenin III, Omanhene of Ati Morkwa Traditional Area on Monday appealed to the government to review the modalities used by the Forestry Division in the disbursement of royalties on timber.

Addressing a press conference at his palace at Praso, the Omanhene described as cheating, the present situation where the Division deducts 60 per cent of

monies accruing from timber operations and paying the remainder to the office of the administrator of Stool Lands that also takes 10 per cent as administrative charges, before sharing the rest to the beneficiaries.

He suggested that royalties to Traditional Councils should be increased from 15 to 20 per cent and a mechanism instituted to ensure that "illegal deductions" made by the Forestry Division are returned to the beneficiaries.