Sefwi-Wiawso (W/R), March 31, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has cautioned that government would punish any official who would be caught selling or releasing part of forest reserve for illegal farming and small-scale mining. He said government was committed to protecting the country's forest resources and called on the people to support all initiatives aimed at achieving the objective.

Alhaji Dauda gave the warning when he led a team of officers of the Western Region Office of the Forest Service Division, including the Regional Manager, Mr Kwakye Ameyaw to cut down cocoa tress on 72 illegal farms in the Sui River Forest Reserve.

He said that there should not be any basis for anybody to politicize the destruction of illegal farms in forest reserves. Alhaji Dauda said that the forest was being preserved and protected for the present generation and posterity adding that adequate measures was being taken to ensure sustainable management of the forest. Mr. Ameyaw said timber seedlings would be planted on the destroyed farms. The Reserve that stretches from Sefwi-Wiawso to Akontobra covers a total of 333.90 kilometres.