The Paramount Chief of the Bole Traditional Area, Bolewura Safo Kutuge Feso (I) has ban the unauthorized felling of all types of trees for purposes including logs, Charcoal, Lumber and the subsequent conveyance and transportation from all parts of the area and the Upper West Region through the Traditional Area not withstanding its place of origin.
The Bolewura said this in consonance with the law of government of Ghana on forestry and afforestation and the directives of the Yagbonwura and the Gonja Traditional Council and after a stakeholders meetings jointly convened by the Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assemblies.
A statement dated 14th September 2019 and signed by the Bolewura, and copied to Bole based Nkilgi Fm and other stakeholders said all tree products, logs, Charcoal etc from the Bole and her neighbors Sonyo, Choru, Kong, Sakpa and the Upper West Region passing through the Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba districts would be impounded and sold and the proceeds would be used to develop the communities of the origin and also defray the cost of confiscation by the Traditional Council, District Assemblies and the government agencies working in collaboration.
He said a taskforce with specific of terms of reference would be formed to ensure the ban is enforced.
Below is the statement signed by the Bolewura:
BAN ON THE FELLING, CONVEYANCE AND TRANSPORTATION TREES AND TREE PRODUCTS IN AND AROUND THE BOLE TRADITIONAL AREA
14th September, 2019
The Bolewura, Chiefs and people of the Bole Traditional Area have observed with disdain the unorthodox and the reckless abandon of felling of trees, conveyance and transportation of tree products. This we observe has contributed to environmental degradation, negative climax conditions,air pollution, invasion of harmful insects to human, animals, crops and so on.
We have also noticed with shiver the transportation of various tree products through the Traditional Area such as logs and Charcoal.
The Bolewura, Chiefs and people have also noticed the total and fragrant disregard on the on the ban on tree felling, logging and felling of trees for commercial Charcoal production directed at the Gonja Traditional Council meeting at Yapei in the Central Gonja District on the 17th February, 2019.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on the 11th March 2019 issued a total ban on logging, salvaging, processing, transportation and export of rosewood. This directive is also being flouted with impunity.
Quite recently was the sordid and callous destruction of over three hundred (300) economic Shea trees at Tinga in the Bole District of the Savannah Region, raising fears about the survival of future generation.
The Bolewura,Chiefs and people of the Bole Traditional Area by popular will and in consonance with the law of government of Ghana on forestry and afforestation and the directives of the Yagbonwura and the Gonja Traditional Council and the solicited agreement of neighbouring Traditional Areas and Upper West Region wish to ban after stakeholders meetings jointly convened by the Bole and Sawla/Tuna/Kalba District Assemblies as early as practicable after which a taskforce with specific of terms of reference on unauthorized felling of all types of trees for purposes including logs, Charcoal, Lumber and the subsequent conveyance and transportation from all parts of the area and the Upper West Region through the Traditional Area not withstanding its place of origin would be formed.
All tree products, logs, Charcoal etc from the Bole and her neighbors Sonyo, Chor, Kong, Sakpa and the Upper West Region passing through the Bole and Sawla/Tuna/Kalba districts would be impounded and sold. The proceeds would be used to develop the communities of the origin and also defray the cost of confiscation by the Traditional Council, District Assemblies and the government agencies working in collaboration.
In this regard, we are entreating the unwavering steadfast support of the Upper West Region and the Traditional Areas in the Bole and Sawla/Tuna/Kalba Districts Assemblies, The Forestry Services Commission (Game and wildlife and Forestry Division), the Regional administrations, Upper West and Savannah Regions and Environmental and vegetation preservation advocates and Ministryof Lands and Natural Resources.
His Royal Highness
…Signed…
(Bolewura Sarfo Kutugefeso I).
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
