The Kwahu South Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Forestry Commission (FC) have launched investigations into an alleged extortion involving some personnel of the FC.
The investigation became necessary following a statement made by Kofi Nkrumah Asante, the Assembly Member for New Oworobong/Amartey electoral area, on the floor of the house at the last general meeting held on July 13, 2023 at Kwahu South Municipal assembly hall.
According to the New Oworobong/Amartey Assemblyman, some officers of the Forestry Commission have illegally taken an amount of GH 15,000 and cattle from some cattle owners to keep their animals in the Oworobong forest Reserve.
He explained that it was unfortunate that the officers who are mandated to protect the forest reserves are rather destroying it by taking money from cattle owners for grazing and cutting trees for burning charcoal.
To him, the attitude of these unscrupulous staff of the Forestry Commission if not checked, could thwart the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs policy, one of the biggest government social intervention programs designed to boost agriculture in Ghana.
He continued that, to make agriculture attractive and accessible, water supply was essential since the irrigation system appears to be expensive and that protecting our forest reserves was the only means of getting water for farm produce and maintaining a healthy environment.
This, he charged, the Assembly to immediately investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book when found culpable of the offense.
The Municipal Manager of the Kwahu South Forestry Commission, Mr. Nii Kwei Kussachin, confirmed the allegation raised by the Assembly member for New Oworobong electoral area, Kofi Nkrumah Asante
Speaking to The Chronicle in a telephone interview, the Municipal Manager hinted that his office had commenced investigations into the matter and that anybody found culpable of the offense would be dealt with.
“Yes, I have received information from the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) on the alleged illegal activities of some of my staff. Service enquiry and investigations commenced immediately to unravel the individuals in the act’, he stressed.
He assured this reporter that he would not condone and scheme with any person or group of people who are involved in any form of corruption, adding that if it turns out that the bribery allegation is true, he will bring the perpetrators to book.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Emmanuel Attah Ofori Snr., confirmed the story but called on the paper to give him a few days as investigations are underway to unravel the personnel behind this illegal activity.
One of the cattle owners, who gave his name as Ali Labaran Mohammed, was furious when he picked up information that his employee had been arrested in the forest reserve by the forest taskforce, a combined taskforce of personnel of the commission.
To Ali Labaran Mohammed he has paid money and cattle to the forest guards in charge of the forest who have granted him entry into the reserves, hence he would not understand why his employee should be arrested.
The Municipality lies within the Semi-Deciduous forest zone. The vegetation is dense in terms of tree coverage with most trees shedding off their leaves in the dry season. Trees of economic value like Odum, Wawa, Sepele, etc are found in the forest. The forest is made of three layers, namely the upper, middle and lower layers.
