Man, 52, arrested for destroying ecosystems in Bongo UER

A 52 year-old Mr. Azure Akara has been arrested for destroying the Asolompiiro forest, in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, for charcoal production.

Mr. Azure Akara was arrested upon the instructions of the Paramount Chief of the Bongo traditional area, for causing destruction to the ecosystem of the Asolompiiro forest reserve in the Bongo District.

According to the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Salifu Alemyarum, all attempts to drive him and his accomplishes who had been settled in the area for barely two years ago, proved futile.

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Paramount Chief who is also an Environmentalist himself said he will not allow a few recalcitrant people to cause destruction to the forest for their selfish gains.

The Chief indicated that he had initiated a number of projects and programmes such as the formation of the Green Bongo for Sustainable Environment and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration Projects to help curb desertification in the in the Bongo District. 

The Paramount Chief explained that Mr Akara who has built his house and staying in the reserve with his family, has also made himself a chief of the forest reserve and has given portions of the forest reserve to Fulani herdsmen to also settle with their families and cattle.

In return, he collects animals such as cattle, sheep and goats from the Fulani headsmen as a chief of the reserve. He stated that as a result of the destruction of the ecosystems of the forest reserve, endangered species that used to live in the area have migrated to the forest reserves in Burkina Faso.

He stressed the need for the District Police Service and the Fire Service handling the case to expedite action, by teaming up with the Forest Commission to ascertain the extent of damage done to the forest reserve and to prefer charges in court against the Culprit and his accomplishes to serve as deterrent to others.

During a visit to the site, the District Director of the Forest Commission, Mr Gabriel Agana expressed worry about the level of destruction of the ecosystems and stated that most of the trees that had been fell for charcoal production were planted and grown by the Commission and some community members some years back.

The District Deputy Fire Officer, Station Officer Baba Atule Ibrahim, gave the assurance that the security agencies would act swiftly to deal with the issue.

He stated that if the degradation of the forest continues the whole reserve would be depleted completely within the shortest time.

The culprit who was granted a police bail has since been re-arrested by the District Directorate of the Forestry Commission for further investigations.

EMMANUEL AKAYETI, GBC