Punish people who cut trees unlawfully - Retired educationist calls on chiefs

Stephen Gebuti, a retired Educationist is appealing to the Paramount Chiefs within the Kasena-Nankana area to severely sanction people who arbitrarily cut trees and destroy the forest cover.

According to him, the worrying rate at which the tree cover in some communities in the area is being destroyed, calls for action and punishments from the Chiefs, the Forest Commission and security agencies, to deter and discouraging indigenes from continuously harming the environment.

Speaking on the sideline after he led the Office of the Navrongo Central MP, Joseph Kofi Adda, in the presentation of over 5,000 improved tree seedlings to Naaga Naba; Naba Bosingo Olando Ayamga Awini III, Kologo Naba; Naba Clifford Asobayire Abagna IV and the Navro-Pio, P3 Denis Asagpaare Balinia Adda ll, on Wednesday to support them in their initiatives against deforestation, the retired educationist pleaded with the Overlords to partner the Forest Commission, security agencies and all similar bodies to stand up against the activities of such persons and ensure that they are given stern punishments when found culpable.

Aside that, Mr. Gebuti has also appealed to the Chiefs to form committees and groups and mandate them to monitor and protect tree reserves against the illegal activities of chainsaw operators.

He said; “we want to appeal to the chiefs to liaise with the Forestry Commission and similar departments to make sure that people who cut trees are punished, they don’t go scot-free. Additionally, I will suggest to the paramount chiefs to also put together volunteers and groups who will monitor and check to ensure people don’t go about cutting trees indiscriminately, especially, the illegal chainsaw operators”.

“Kasena-Nankana is gradually losing all its forests tree cover. It is worse in some communities and that can affect us in the near future. We may not have rains if the trees are cut and this is very bad”, he lamented.

While calling on the people of Kasena-Nankana to join hands in the fight against deforestation and to also lend their support to the brilliant initiative of the Chiefs to attain success, Mr. Gebuti announced the commitment and readiness of the MP at all times for issues that centre on the greening of the environment and development of Navrongo.

“The MP has taken interest in the initiative of the chiefs because he has seen the numerous benefits it will bring to Kasena-Nankana. He wants to assure all the chiefs that he’ll continue to support their efforts in fighting deforestation in the whole of the Kasena-Nankana area. It’s a laudable initiative and the MP is forever committed.

“Aside the Paramount chiefs, the MP is also urging everybody to do same to save our dying forests. Trees have an impact in our communities. So If we plant them now, we’ll save ourselves and our homes from rainstorms and strong winds in the future because they are capable of blocking these kind disasters”, he stressed.

Meanwhile, Navro-PioP3 Denis Asagpaare Balinia Adda ll has thanked Mr. Adda and his Office for the support given his initiative.

Speaking at his Palace after receiving the items, the Navro-Pio said the seedlings will give his initiative a big push in making Navrongo green in the not very distant future.

He said although he could have embarked on any other project to mark his anniversary on the Skin, the crucial impact trees have on the environment topped all ideas and thus, informed his decision to cart the path of planting trees in his Chiefdom.

He said there was the need for everyone, including government, to begin to stick significant commitment and finding better alternatives, to rejuvenate our forest covers that are fast depleting.

Navro-Pio intimated that he will arrange for his sub-chiefs, divisional chiefs and other interested groups and individuals, with the interest in planting tree, to pick up shares of the seedlings so that the trees will be evenly spread out in the Paramountcy.

He strongly cautioned against the felling of trees in the area.