The Twafoɔhene of the Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Boampim Perko II, has made a passionate appeal to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to temporarily close the country’s forest reserves for four years in a bold effort to restore their depleted ecological strength.
According to the traditional leader, Ghana’s forests have suffered severe degradation due to years of illegal mining, indiscriminate logging, hunting, and other destructive human activities, making urgent intervention necessary to preserve the nation’s natural resources for future generations.
Nana Boampim Perko II made the call during the handing over and commemorative inauguration ceremony of ten forest protection camps and two checkpoint camps at the Oda River Forest Reserve near Numereso in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region today.
Speaking on behalf of the Omanhene of the Bekwai Traditional Council, the chief expressed deep concern over the alarming destruction of Ghana’s forest reserves and stressed that stronger and more unconventional measures must be adopted if government intends to win the fight against illegal activities in the country’s forests.
Drawing a comparison with the closed fishing season implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Nana Boampim Perko II said a similar strategy should be introduced for the forestry sector to allow the forests to naturally regenerate and regain their vitality.
He explained that just as the annual fishing ban allows fingerlings and other marine species to mature and replenish the sea, temporarily shutting down forest activities would also give vegetation, wildlife, and ecosystems the opportunity to recover from years of exploitation.
According to him, during the proposed four-year closure period, no individual or group should be permitted to enter forest reserves for any purpose, including farming, weeding, logging, hunting, or any commercial activity.
“Our forests are dying gradually, and if we do not take drastic decisions today, future generations may not have any forest resources left to depend on,” he stated.
The Twafoɔhene emphasized that Ghana’s forest reserves are not only economic assets but also vital environmental resources that play critical roles in climate regulation, water preservation, rainfall formation, and biodiversity protection.
He noted that despite several interventions by government and security agencies, illegal activities such as galamsey and unauthorized lumbering continue to threaten the country’s forest reserves, particularly in mining-prone areas of the Ashanti Region and beyond.
Nana Boampim Perko II further urged authorities to ensure that offenders arrested for engaging in illegal forest activities are prosecuted without political interference or external influence.
According to him, consistent enforcement of the law and strict punishment for offenders would serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in the destruction of forest reserves.
He maintained that government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and forest destruction would only succeed if laws are applied fairly and decisively.
The inauguration of the forest protection and checkpoint camps forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen forest surveillance, prevent illegal mining and logging activities, and protect the Oda River Forest Reserve from further destruction.
The initiative is expected to enhance monitoring operations within the reserve while supporting collaboration between traditional authorities, forestry officials, security agencies, and local communities in safeguarding the environment.
The event brought together traditional leaders, forestry officials, security personnel, local government representatives, and residents from surrounding communities who reiterated the need for stronger environmental protection measures across the country.
Environmental advocates at the ceremony also underscored the growing threat posed by illegal mining activities to water bodies, forest reserves, and agricultural lands, warning that Ghana risks severe ecological consequences if urgent action is not taken.
Nana Boampim Perko II’s proposal is likely to spark national conversation on sustainable forest management and the future of Ghana’s natural resources as the country continues to grapple with rising concerns over environmental degradation and illegal resource exploitation.
Source:Ayisah Foster||The Punch newspaper
