Thieves invade Tain II Forest Reserve

Kwabena Kuma (B/A), Feb. 24, GNA - An appeal has been made to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry to take immediate steps to end the wanton destruction of forest products in the Tain II Forest Reserve in the Sunyani District.

The Assemblyman for the Kwabena Kuma Electoral Area, Mr. Asare Bediako, who made the appeal hinted that some unscrupulous persons were stealing timber and other valuable products from the forest.

Mr. Bediako's main worry was that most of the trees being felled are very young and expensive and mentioned odum and wawa as the major tree species the thieves had targeted while teak trees from the nearby plantations were also under serious threat.

The Assemblyman told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the issue had been reported to the Sunyani Municipal Forestry Office but no concrete action had been taken, stressing that, " meanwhile day after day the miscreants continue to push down the trees."

He warned that if drastic measures were not taken to arrest the situation the forest would soon be without any tree. Mr. Bediako pledged the preparedness of his outfit to offer any necessary support towards any move aimed at saving the forest from further destruction.

However, the people of the area have appealed to the President to ensure that the new Municipal Chief Executive would be someone who would be sensitive to the plight of the people.