Goaso (B/A), Aug 14, GNA- Some unidentified persons have cultivated large food and cash crop farms in the Desire Forest Reserve in the Asutifi District in Brong Ahafo, Mr Osei Poku Berger, Assembly Member for Sienchiem, told Ghana News Agency at Goaso on Thursday. He said the farmers have cultivated several acres of cocoa, plantain, cassava and cocoyam and work on their farms at odd hours, fully armed.

Mr Berger said the encroachers have defied several warnings and random patrols by the Asutifi District Environmental Task Force and a local task.

He appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Asutifi District Assembly to save the reserve from further degradation.