Previous Executive Director of Integrated Social Improvement Heart (ISODEC), Bishop Akolgo has warned against the exploitation of rosewood to fund political things to do.
This according to him has the opportunity to haunt the country considering that other extremists can join in the exploitation for personalized gains.
Citing nations around the world like Senegal, Sudan, and DR Congo, Mr. Akolgo reported they have had experiences in which rosewoods and charcoal were being becoming utilised to fund pursuits of rebels.
Mr. Akolgo who lifted these problems when he introduced a paper on the unlawful trading of rosewood in Ghana suggested the ruling elite to deal with the menace of unlawful logging in the state.
He said the area was under siege subsequent the changeover of rosewood from currently being just a medicinal plant and employed domestically to an internationally sought-after tree.
“Because the middle income and superior-profits folks want to restore their status, the desire for rosewood went by the roof,” he explained
He further mentioned that with a great deal of income flowing in the enhancement chain it has empowered a lot of unlawful discounts setting up from the international levels down to the neighborhood communities.
“These actors have a whole lot of money to be ready to penetrate our institutions to be capable to harvest and export rosewood with no staying harassed,” Mr. Akolgo included.
The previous Executive Director also accused Chinese businessmen of conniving with their nearby small business companions in Ghana to order political ability and mute the locals at the local community level.
He stated political parties the two in government and opposition have been utilised to silence communities who protest against illegal logging of rosewood.
“We have a major challenge. The surroundings is been degraded, livelihoods are becoming threatened but communities are powerless in the struggle in opposition to the menace.”
On his aspect, the Executive Director of Star-Ghana foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko Amidu in his welcome address indicated that the menace of illegal rosewood logging has attained unsustainable degrees and is starting to pose an existential menace to the North.
He reported though rules are nearly inactive, the problems bordering the unlawful trade have long gone out of hand.
Talking at a stakeholder’s dialogue on “illegal logging of rosewood in northern Ghana,” Alhaji Tanko said the activity is ravaging almost everything in the north producing everyday living difficult for the men and women.
“Out of that desperation for the ineffectiveness of our legislation and for the inaction of authorities, we are starting to see area citizens who are annoyed and impacted by these issues acquire actions,” the Star-Ghana boss explained
He mentioned nearby actions alone can’t stop the trade and named for a joint motion from CSOs, chiefs and the citizens to fight the illegality.
The multi-stakeholder technique he noted will direct to motion from equally federal government and the community associates, he famous.
The Paramount Main of Bongo Traditional Area in the Higher East Region, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarem blamed the striping of powers of chiefs as the rationale for the constant destruction of rosewood in the region.
According to Naba Salifu, effective kingpins together with politicians are aiding the unlawful trade.
The Paramount chief apologised on behalf of chiefs for not remaining able to avoid the rosewood menace.
“It is obligatory of chiefs to defend the ecosystem when you are enskin as a main, your primary accountability is to defend the setting, prosperity is a secondary make a difference.
“So for we the chiefs to now arrive and compromise this simply because of prosperity to demolish the setting is why I apologised,” he instructed the accumulating.
The party held in Tamale was organised by Star-Ghana Basis in collaboration with the Baobab current market.
