Chiefs must help fight to protect reserves - DCE

Chiefs in forest fringe communities have been asked to take frontline role in the fight to stop the plunder of the forest and its resources.

Mr. De-graft Agyei, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asante-Akim South, described as deeply disturbing the situation where some of them were encouraging illegal logging and mining in the reserves.

He was speaking at a day’s sensitization workshop organized for selected chiefs from the Ejisu-Juaben and Asante-Akim Central Municipalities, Asante-Akim South and Asante-Akim North Districts.

It was meant to help them to appreciate the need to sign social responsibility agreement (SRA) between the communities and timber contractors, authorized by the appropriate state institutions to cut timber in these areas.

Mr. Forkuo reminded them to show ownership of the forest and do everything to safeguard it through sustainable management of its resources.

He spoke of the need to be transparent in their dealings with timber contractors to bring optimal benefits to the people.

It should not just be the chiefs but the entire community must benefit from the resource, he added.

Mrs. Rebecca Baning Oppan, the Juaso District Manager of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission (FC), asked the chiefs to insist on SRAs before the start of business by the timber companies.

She said the FSD was ready to facilitate smooth negotiation between the two parties.

Mr. Frank Owusu, Assistant Manager, Resource Management Support Center of FC, said the goal of the SRA was to remove conflict.