Enchi (W/R), December 19, GNA- Nana Ngissah Boadi, Regent of the Aowin Traditional Area, has expressed concern about the upsurge in encroachment of forest reserves in the area. He said this during a courtesy call on him by Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister and his deputy Mr. Kwesi Blay at his palace at Enchi over the weekend.

Nana Boadi said the encroachers who are mostly not inhabitants of the area carry out illegal felling of timber and mining in the reserves. He said there had been instances where the encroachers have attacked forest guards who attempted stopping their activities. Nana Boadi asked the government to hand over the reserves to the traditional council if it had lost interest in the land. Replying, Mr. Amoah said those who are illegally occupying the reserves would be flushed out.

He said nobody has the right to enter the reserves and illegally fall trees and mine unless he obtains a permit from the appropriate authorities. 19 Dec 06