Sefwi-Boinzan (W/R), April 1, GNA - The chief of Sefwi-Boinzan, Nana Yaw Ntaadu III, has complained about the growing destruction of the Krokosue Hills Forest Reserve through illegal farming and called for decisive action to stop it.

Large swathe of reserve in the Juaboso District, he said, had been ceased and put under cocoa cultivation. Nana Ntaadu III raised the concern when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace. Accompanying him were the Western Regional Manager of the Forest Service Division (FSD), Mr Kwakye Ameyaw, and other top ranking officials of the FSD. The chief pledged the Traditional Council's backing for any measure the government would take to bring sanity and protect the reserve. He also underlined the need to ensure that destroyed areas of the forest were re-planted.

Responding, Alhaji Dauda promised that the Forestry Commission would do everything to discourage illegal activities in the reserve. Additionally, he said, the Commission would promote re-forestation to restore the vegetative cover.

The Minister called on chiefs to support the Government's Youth in Agriculture intervention by making land available to young people to engage in afforestation. Mr Solomon Fuachie, the Juaboso District Chief Executive, appealed to chiefs and people in the area to help expose illegal chainsaw operators in their communities.