Bibiani (W/R), Nov. 6, GNA - The youth of Sefwi

had given strong backing to the decision by the Forestry

Commission (FC) to destroy illegal farms in the Anhwiaso East

Forest Reserve. Their position sharply contrasts that of the Sefwi-Anhwiaso

Traditional Council, which has protested the measure. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after a meeting in

Bibiani, Mr Ernest Yaw Gyening, leader of the group calling

itself "Sefwi Concerned Youth Association," said they were

happy that about 280 hectares of the degraded reserve had

already been put under a plantation development programme. This, they said, was helping to create jobs, particularly for

the youth in the forest fringe communities. These include the unemployed youth at Manse, Bayerebon

Number Two, Bethlehem, Amokaka, Mmerewa, Mpesiem and

Nkronua. Mr Gyening said every support should be given to the Forest

Service Division (FSD) in the district to sustain the plantation

development programme to restore the destroyed reserve. He appealed to the Traditional Council to review its position

and throw its weight behind the programme.