African Chiefs Confront Illegal Logging
11/8/99
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Title: AFRICAN Chiefs Confront Illegal Logging
Source: Environment News Service, http://www.ens.lycos.com/
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: November 8, 1999
ACCRA, Ghana, November 8, 1999 (ENS) - The Kwahu Traditional Council
wants to halt illegal logging by poachers and members of the district
forestry staff.
At its last meeting, the council lamented the recent upsurge of
illegal tree felling and charcoal burning in the Kwahu area. Members
are calling for the immediate implementation of the Timber Resource
Management Act passed by the Ministry of Lands and Forestry due to
come into force this month.
Illegal logging is predominant in the villages of Simpoa, Adensua,
Bebuso, and Nkwatia, said a spokesman for the council. "The illegal
activities have become so rampant that Nananom have recently had to
form a task force to combat the perpetrators," he said.
There have been instances where some of the Kwahu South District
Office of Forestry officers teamed up with assembly members to fell
trees for logs or burning illegally at these villages, according to
Nana Simpe Owiredu III, Krontihene of Abene. He said traditional
authorities had confronted the forestry department but, "We were told
that the ministry has no legal backing banning timber lumbering and
charcoal burning in the area."
The Traditional Council lashed out at the district for failing to
check illegal chain saw operators, saying it is common knowledge that
the illegal loggers poach the forest on Thursdays. Afterward the
poachers load their timber or charcoal into big trucks and transport
for Accra or overseas markets.
"It would be surprising if the Forestry Department staff claim to be
ignorant about it," they said.