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The Western North Regional Chapter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wishes to bring the attention of the
President, the Interior Minister, the Western North Regional Minister, Heads of Security agencies, the Media
and all concerned citizens to the rising state of insecurity in the region borne out of political impunity and
greed.
The situation has become increasingly alarming and demands an urgent action to protect lives and
property.
Security in the entire region broke down immediately after the declaration of the 2024 presidential election
results by the EC with stalwarts of the NDC taking matters into their own hands and acting with impunity.
Not long after, the Police and other security agencies had tried their best to end the attacks on pro-NPP
businesses and individuals in the region, these unrepentant guys turned their attention to the forests and water
bodies, destroying them.
Almost all the forest reserves in the region and river bodies are being ‘raped’ and
destroyed by illegal logging and galamsey. What makes it more serious is the regular fatal clashes between
various rival NDC groups on these galamsey sites and forests leading to death.
In January, a clash between two rival NDC galamsey groups in the Tano Anwia forest in Aowin
Municipality(Enchi) led to the loss of 3 precious lives.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Western North Regional Secretary of the opposition New Patrotic Party(NPP). Mr. Felix Ackah.
According to him. For close to a month after that unfortunate incident,
inhabitants lived in fear and panic considering the possibility of reprisal attacks. This incident, we believed,
should have put an end to these lawless acts in the region.
However, it is disheartening to note that it has
not been given the serious attention it requires, despite the tragic loss of innocent lives.
This week, a clash between two illegal timber lumbering groups in the Sefwi Agyemadiem forest in the
Sefwi Juaboso District, led to the deaths of more than six (6) individuals, highlighting the growing menace
of illegal logging in our region.
The rapid increase in illegal timber logging and galamsey activities poses a
severe threat to our forest reserves, putting at risk the future of our natural resources and environment. If this
destructive trend continues unchecked, we run the risk of losing all our forest reserves within the next year
or two in the western north region.
It is imperative that we call upon all local authorities to enforce forestry
laws rigorously to prevent further destruction of our precious natural resources and to combat the violence
associated with these illegal activities in the region.
We urge all stakeholders, government agencies, law
enforcement, Nananom, and community leaders to come together and work collaboratively towards finding
sustainable solutions to address the root causes of insecurity in our region.
We are calling for a drastic and immediate action to safeguard our forest reserves and water bodies from
further harm through education and awareness creation on the importance of environmental preservation and
the implications of illegal logging and mining activities.
We urge the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama,
to protect our environment, safeguard our natural resources, and ensure the safety and well-being of all
residents in the Western North Region. The time for action is now, and together and we
securing a sustainable
future for our region.
By: Daniel Akwasi Nuako, Bibiani
