The Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril has inaugurated a task force to enforce the ban he placed on logging and the commercial production of charcoal in the region.

The Minister, on April 10, 2021, gave a 30-day ultimatum for persons involved in such activities to cease their operations in the region or be dealt with.

As the ultimatum comes to an end next week, the Regional Minister has thus inaugurated a task force to enforce the ban.

He inaugurated the taskforce after addressing a forum of chiefs and other stakeholders on how traditional authorities can help halt such activities in the region.

Mr. Jibril charged the taskforce, chaired by the regional police commander, to carry out its mandate without fear or favour, or political considerations.

Earlier at a forum of chiefs to discuss how traditional authorities in the region can support the fight, the Regional Minister said it was important for the chiefs who owned the land to join the fight in order to save generations.

The Vice President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor Il, who chaired the forum on behalf of the Yagbonwura, said the situation in the region is sad and indescribable and called on the chiefs and all sons and daughters of Gonjaland to support the fight.

The level of illegal logging of the precious tree species for export has left a gaping hole in the Savannah Region.

Despite being a region largely poor and far behind on the development index, forests are being depleted as ill-equipped state officials look on helpless.

Experts say the situation, if not checked, will have dire consequences for Ghana in the near future.

Source: citifmonline.com