Minister chides chiefs for endorsing illegal harvesting of rosewood

Mr Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, the Acting Upper West Regional Minister has cautioned Chiefs, who had endorsed activities of illegal logging in various parts of the Region to desist from it immediately.

He attributed the illegal logging activities to the phenomenon of uncertain rainfall pattern the Region was experiencing of late.

Mr Issahaku, who was speaking during the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs general meeting in Jirapa, said if care was not taken some traditional rulers would regulate such activities and destroy the environment.

“It is of interest to note that destructive floods in parts of the country in recent time were blamed largely on indiscriminate felling of rosewood and Pappa, which is on the rise, if it’s not stopped, very soon most of our vegetative cover will be destroyed,” he said.

“The unfortunate news is that, there are reports of some Chiefs endorsing the activities of these illegal loggers in the region,” he added.

Mr Chinnia reminded the Chiefs of their roles as custodians of the land and culture and therefore wielded great influence on changing bad cultural practices that affect the people’s well-being.

He noted that the role of chiefs in governance and decentralization has become very important in the light of challenges posed by modernity in predominantly rural communities across Ghana.

“Growing Ghana beyond aid requires us to develop the can-do spirit and actively participate in governance through the Assembly system,” he said, alluding to the importance role chiefs play in National development.

He said it was important that a meeting of this nature discussed issues relating to the development of the Region.

This year’s general meeting took place at Royal Cosy Hill, in the Jirapa District of the Upper West Region.

The meeting brought together Chiefs, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Region.

Source: GNA