Chief takes on timber companies

Barima Asumadu Sakyi II, Omanhene of Kumawu Traditional Area, has expressed disappointment with what he termed lack of enthusiasm in reforestation programmes by most timber companies operating in the area.

He said the companies that had acquired parts of the Kumawu section of the degraded Bonfum Reserve for replanting were not showing any interest in regenerating the forest.

Barima Asumadu Sakyi was speaking at a forum held at Kumawu to discuss ways of preventing bushfires that over the years had ravaged forest reserves in the country.

Out of 30 companies allocated portions of the destroyed 527 square kilometres Bonfum Reserve to re-forest only three are serious on the project.

The Omanhene mentioned the AG Timbers, Ejisu Forest Products (EFP) and Omega Wood Processing and the three had between them re-planted more than 300 hectares.

Barima Asumadu Sakyi called on the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission to act quickly to take back the land given out to those who were refusing to undertake the re-forestation and give it to companies and individuals who are ready for the project.

He said some of the timber operators rushed to secure sections of the reserve thinking the area was rich for timber only to realise that the reserve was barren.

The Omanhene called on the communities to support the fire volunteer squads with logistics to enable them to become more effective in the performance of their duties.