Bibiani (W/R), Nov. 6, GNA - The youth of Sefwi
had given strong backing to the decision by the Forestry
Commission (FC) to destroy illegal farms in the Anhwiaso East
Forest Reserve. Their position sharply contrasts that of the Sefwi-Anhwiaso
Traditional Council, which has protested the measure. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after a meeting in
Bibiani, Mr Ernest Yaw Gyening, leader of the group calling
itself "Sefwi Concerned Youth Association," said they were
happy that about 280 hectares of the degraded reserve had
already been put under a plantation development programme. This, they said, was helping to create jobs, particularly for
the youth in the forest fringe communities. These include the unemployed youth at Manse, Bayerebon
Number Two, Bethlehem, Amokaka, Mmerewa, Mpesiem and
Nkronua. Mr Gyening said every support should be given to the Forest
Service Division (FSD) in the district to sustain the plantation
development programme to restore the destroyed reserve. He appealed to the Traditional Council to review its position
and throw its weight behind the programme.