Tree falls on chainsaw operator at Sissala

The illegal activities of chainsaw operators cutting rosewood tree in the Sissala East area have been exposed after one of the cutters was killed instantly last week in the process of cutting a tree.

According to ASP Ayesu William Sissala East Police Commander, he received the information of the incident from the Assembly Member of the Somboru electoral area.

He disclosed that, while cutting down the fresh rosewood, it fell on the deceased Owusu Boateng who is 30 years old.

This confirms reports that Chinese and other contractors are in the hinterlands cutting down the rosewood species, an act which has been banned by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

According to the Ministry, the only license that was given the contractors was to enable them pick rosewood species which were left lying in the communities after the ban.

However, some communities in recent times have complained of the illegal activities of some chines contractors who claim they have a license to cut the trees.

Its now common to see heavy trucks in the Sissala east area carting away the tree species.

Recently Community Development Alliance an NGO operating in the Upper West region held a press conference demanding the resignation of the Minister in charge of Natural Resources for the degradation being caused by these rosewood contractors.