Chief Protests Activities Of Chainsaw Operators

Ekwamase (c/r) July 3, Nana Nketia Afful, Abontsindomhene of Abeadze traditional area in the Central Region, has appealed to the Forestry Department and Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Assembly to help prevent the destruction of farms in the Ekwamase area by timber contractors and chainsaw operators. Nana Afful said the contractors and chainsaw operators are destroying food and cash crops of farmers through their operations without any compensation. At a meeting with some contractors and chainsaw operators at Ekwamase, Nana Afful said if the situation is not arrested immediately cocoa farmers in the area will not benefit from the recent increase in the producer price of cocoa. He said apart from failing to pay compensation to the farmers, the contractors and the chainsaw operators do not pay any royalties to the district assemblies. ''No efforts are being made by them to replant the trees felled'', he added. Nana Afful said their heavy-duty vehicles have damaged the roads which have been rendered almost unmotorable. Mr. Anokye Mensah, superintendent of police in charge of the area, warned the contractors to cease operation in the area immediately, and urged the farmers to report any operator or contractor who fells a tree to the police.