Anhwiaso East forest reserve under Bibiani District Forest Services Division in the Western North region is in serious destruction as a result of galamsey activities.
According to a report, it is alleged that Chinese nationals and Retired Military staff at Manse near Bibiani are engaging in the illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking to the media, the Atipimhene of Sefwi Anwiaso Traditional Area, Nana Bonya III admitted the forest staff have done their best to curb the forest destruction yet the problem persists. Adding that the Forest Services Division needs reinforcement to fight the illegal miners.
“We need reinforcement to fight the illegal miners, people are engaging in violence especially in this election year so we don’t want to do anything that will undermine the peace in this district and Ghana as a whole so we need reinforcement to fight the galamsey activities that are destroying the forest.” Nana Bonya III said.
It could be recalled that last year Bibiani District Forest Services Division led by Mr Cobbina Baiden, Bibiani District Forest Services Division Manager and Rapid Response Team from Accra arrested the Chief of Manse Nana Kwame Sobiri and some illegal miners both Chinese and Ghanaians.
He suggested that they need to burn the excavators and other machines used for the galamsey or the Assembly should confiscate it.
He revealed that the Green Ghana Project has been unsuccessful in the district due to the galamsey activities and for that matter the government should intervene to solve the problem.
Nana Bonya III lauded the effort by Mr Kobbina Baiden, Bibiani District Forest Services Division Manager for persistent engagement with the traditional rulers (Nananom) to protect the forest reserve saying he has been very dynamic and co-operative since assumption in office.
The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declared war on illegal miners but the fight has been unsuccessful.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com/Nana Akwasi Kyere
