The Gonjaland Youth Association (GYA) has backed calls on government to stop what it termed the illegal activities of some Chinese timber merchants and galamsey operators in Gonjaland.
There have been several reports about the cutting of trees for commercial purposes by some Chinese timber merchants whose activities are degrading the vegetative cover of their operational areas.
The West Gonja district where the Mole Game Reserve is located has beeng the worse affected.
It is against this backdrop, the Gonjaland Youth Association has implored government to stop the practice.
National Secretary of the Gonjaland Youth Association, Dramani Dari made the call at a news conference in Accra where he mentioned illegal mining, communal hunting, burning of charcoal and the menace of Fulani herdsmen as some of the worrying developments that needed prompt attention.
Dramani Dari hinted the Association’s determination to expose chiefs and other stakeholders supporting such activities in Gonjaland.
“The Association is appealing to all Chiefs and other stakeholders in Gonjaland to desist from supporting and encouraging the so-called Chinese businessmen to carry their illegal activities in Gonjaland or else we will expose them for the law to deal with them.”
Member of Parliament for Damongo central, Hon. Adam Mutawakil has also condemned the practice and impressed upon the national security to intervene.
Meanwhile, Minister for Lands and Forestry, Hon. Inusah Fuseini has given the assurance that all those engaged in such activities will be flushed out.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah
