Armed Timber Operators threatening Forest Guards – District Forest Manager

District Forestry Manager of the Kokoasu and Bodi Forest reserves in the Western North Region, Mark Aidoo, has stated that the activities of armed timber operators are undermining the works of  Forest Guards in the forest reserves.

“Because they are armed they over power our guards and do the unthinkable. Recently, they attacked some licensed timber operators, took away their timber locks and a pick-up vehicle, which they abandoned somewhere” he told this reporter in an exclusive interview in his office at Juaboso last Tuesday.

Mr. Aidoo stated that these armed illegal chain saw operators strangely come from Sankore and Akrodie. Asked why this situation, he indicated that they share boundary with these two forest reserves so they reported to the authorities in Accra, for military Assistance and they were given the Rapid Response Team, but the case is still hanging.

Other Threats

Mr. Aidoo pointed out that other threats to his jurisdiction include illegal farming, illegal chain saw operators, illegal mining and occasional bush fires.

He was however quick to point out that these do not pose much threat as they able to contain them. Touching on illegal farming, he indicated that there are about 38 farmers who have been given some parts of the forest (tonture) to farm.

However they try to expand their portions in new farming seasons. But this can also be contained.

On illegal mining, he pointed out that this was not much of a problem. So also is it with occasional bush fires

Way Forward

Mr. Aidoo indicated that with regards to illegal farming, they are able to restrict them to their approved farming lands via occasional checks as well as occasional arrests of illegal chain saw operators and miners

By S.O Ankamah