www.padfm.com.gh / Savannah region, Ghana
The various Youth groups in the Savannah region have been called to duty to help stop twin menace of illegal logging and charcoal production in the area.
The new and final ban, which aims at stopping the devastating destruction to the environment begins on August 29, 2021.
This came to light when the Savannah Region House of Chiefs (SRHC) in collaboration with the RCC held a consultative forum with the various youth groups of Gonjaland to brainstorm on the possible ways to curb the twin evil.
The Gonjaland Youth Association, Damongo Youth Parliament, Brifo Youth, Vagla Youth Association, among other youth groups were invited to the forum to help address the canker once and for all.
Buipewura Jinapor II who chaired the program explained that the “forum is historic in the entire live of Gonja kingdom because leadership of the land are making it possible to host the various youth groups in a regional dialogue to share ideas on how to sustain development and put a stop to the illegal logging and commercial charcoal production in the region for the first time”.
This dialogue is to brainstorm for strategies to improve and protect the vegetative cover of Savannah region. It takes commitment and dedication to arrive at acceptable resolutions to help save the the vegetative cover of the Savannah region”, he added.
Buipewura added that in the 21st century, traditional authorities are key development agents. “Chiefs now lead, they don’t rule. We are not armed chair traditional leaders”, he revealed.
The ban states that anyone seen carrying more than five (5) bags of charcoal, will see the charcoal seize. The ban only allows for people to carry up to five (5) bags of charcoal from 29th August, 2021.
The vice president of Savannah Region House of Chiefs disclosed at the forum that earlier committee of Eminent Chiefs led by Bolewura Safo Kutuge Feso I, to stop commercial charcoal burning and logging menace has been officially desolved and a new committee formed with Buipewura Jinapor II, as the chairman. Mankpanwura Achu-ade, Kpembiwura Ndefoso IV, Kongwura Jinkurge I and Bolewura Kutuge Feso I as members.
Buipewura Jinapor II appealed to the youth groups to enforce the ban without fear or favor but with discipline. He advised them not to do anything that is against the laws of the land, although a war has been declared on the menace.
Mr Jeremiah Seidu of Jacksally Development Foundation is the environmental consultant to the new committee of Eminent Chiefs.
Mr Jeremiah in an interview with Nuhu Zulka of Damongo based Peace and Development radio (Radio PAD 95.1), said it was a great day to the youth of the Gonja State. To him, the youth had lost hope in our chiefs, some people vilified the traditional leaders for the way and manner issues were handled. However today, the youth of Gonja State have been empowered by the chiefs to stop the illegality.
Mr. Jeremiah appealed to all the youth groups to deploy wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that we can all play our roles to help protect the environment for human and animal survival.
Whilst doing so, we should also be thinking about the livelihood aspect of the actors in the business”, he added
All vehicles carrying charcoal or loggs must be impounded starting August 29, 2021.
In their solidarity messages, the leadership of Gonjaland Youth Association, Brifor Youth Association, Vagla Youth Association, Damongo Youth Parliament (DYP), and others all pledge their unflinching support to the traditional leaders to help end the illegality.
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