A/R: 30% of forest Destroyed by Galamsey and others
Thousands of hectares of forest cover in the Ashanti region are under the threat of destruction due to the illegal activities of Galamsey operators, farmers and chainsaw operators.
Other factors responsible for the dwindling fortunes of the Forest reserves include climate change, encroachment and massive charcoal production.
Assistant manager of the Ashanti regional Forest Service Division of the forestry commission of Ghana, Isaac Noble Eshun pointed out that about 117, 000 hectares, representing 30% of the total 387,000 hectares of forest in the region have been destroyed.
He called on the new government to put in place stringent measures to curb the menace or watch the country lose half of it’s forests to these illegal operators.
According to him, the Forest Service Division is poised to provide services that will ensure protection and sustainable development of our forests and thereby optimizing their contribution to the socio-economic development of this nation.
Mr. Eshun also called on all Ghanaians to play their part in ensuring that our forests are protected from these illegal operators whose activities cause destruction to our forests.
He noted inadequate staff and unarmed personnel as some of the challenges facing the commission, adding that they employ the help of police and military men to chase out illegal operators who sneak into the forests to carry out their nefarious deeds.
The manager advised Ghanaians to plant more trees in their environments because they prevent erosion, provide fresh air and make the land green.
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