Juaboso: Forestry Commission wins fight against Encroachers

District Manager for the Forestry Service Division at Juaboso in the Western North Region, Kwabena Adu-Bonnah, has stated that the division has so far chulked massive successes in their fight with encroachers on Forest Reserves in the area.

He pointed out that illegal encroachers such as operation, lumbering, farming and others have been brought under maximum control. Touching on galamsey in particular, he said, they have been able to demolish about 25 excavators, thus curbing illegal mining that threatens the forest reserves in the area. Also, they have prosecuted a number of them with some on remand.

“There are now no signs of them re-entering, since they have learnt their lessons the bitter way,” he stated.

Asked if they have sufficient men to carry this out, Mr Adu-Bonnah pointed out that they do not have the men, but they always fall on the Rapid Response Unit from the headquarters, when the need be.

TREE-PLANTING: Green Ghana

The Forest Manager indicated that, in order to replace the lost forest cover, they have intensified the tree planting programme dubbed “Green Ghana” initiated by the President, Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo-Addo about three years ago. He stated that so far 42million trees have been planted across the country within the period,  with about 74 % surving rate.

THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME

Toughing on this year’s Green Ghana programme, with the theme, “GROWING FOR A GREENER TOMOWORROW” which was initiated on June7, 2024. The Manager pointed out that the Juaboso-Bia Forest District, was tasked to plant 300,000 seedlings, out the 10 million nationwide.

He stated that , 70% of their target was planted in degraded forest Reserves in the area, with the remaining 30% going to institutions as churches, mosques, schools, transport unions and individuals, farm lands, and along water bodies. Mr Adu-Bonnah stated that some were also planted in town and to prevent them from being destroyed by animals cages, were made to cover them. He indicated that among the trees planted were coconut, mangoes, mahogany, Teak, Cedella, Casia and Ofram.

LAUNCHING GRAND PATRONAGE GREAT

The manager stated the launching of the programme was grand and the patronage was great. He said that it was done at the Juaboso Senior High School where about 480 seedlings were planted. He indicated that those present included Depute Chief –Executive, Forestry-Commission, Martha Kwayie, DCE for Juaboso, Kwabena Asante, Chief Imam, Chief of Juaboso, head of decentralized institutions, Banks, Transport unions, Churches and Mosques leaders, School children, Teachers and many more.

TREE PLANTING IS A CONCERTED EFFORT

The manager noted that the tree planting exercise is a concerted effort by all, stressing that after planting, they should be nurtured and maintained to grow so that the depleted forest cover could be replenished. He subsequently called for the involvement of all.

INNOVATION FACE LIFT OF OFFICE

Having assumed office for barely 8 months, Mr. Kwabena Adu- Bonnah has given a face-lift to the forestry office at Juaboso, which is palpably seen and admired by all.

KWABENA ADU-BONNAH, THE GALANT FORESTER

Having followed him for years in his fight against galamsey, I chose to interview him on hearing that he is now at Juaboso.

Kwabena is reputed with his gallant fight against galamsey in the Atiwa Forest in the Eastern Region that led to the arrest of 31 security personnel engaged in Galamsey operation in that forest in May 2021. In this same operation about 61 civilians were also arrested and the over 90 illegal miners were all put before court. A situation that was hype a up the media .

He was then the manager at Kada, and for the three years there, he chocked many successes, including face-lifting of the Kade office. He is reputed with exploits in Navrongo. Stay turned for more.

By S. O. Ankamah