Legalise chainsaw operations

Nkoranza (B/A) Feb. 27, GNA- Mr. Michael Kofi Okyere, Managing Director of Adom Chainsaw Timber at Nkoranza in Brong Ahafo has called for chainsaw operations to be legalised.

He said in an interview with Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza that the government could set up a management company that would deal with the activities of chainsaw operators.

Timber boards are scarce these days as the various timber companies prefer exporting their products for foreign currency to selling them on the local market, he said.

Mr Okyere explained, "If chainsaw timber operations are legalized, all the operators could be registered and would not attempt to operate illegally as they could be arrested and prosecuted".

The registered chainsaw operators would even serve as watchdogs and report those who would operate illegally to cheat them.

The Managing Director said chainsaw operations "also protect young trees against destruction more than timber contractors who use low loaders in carting timber logs through the forests".