Koforidua, Aug. 19, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, on Tuesday accused the Police and other security personnel in the area of conniving with chainsaw operators to plunder the forest. He alleged that the security personnel took bribe from chainsaw operators and allowed them to illegally transport lumber to Accra. Mr Ampofo has urged the Ministry of Natural Resources, Lands and Forestry, to investigate how 14 trucks loaded with chainsaw lumber were transported from Suhum to Accra on Monday night without any arrest inspire of the mounting of security check points on the Suhum-Nsawam-Accra route.

He made the accusation when he inaugurated the Eastern Regional Lands Commission, in Koforidua.

Mr Ampofo expressed worry about the depletion of the forest and pollution of water bodies through the activities of galamsey and chainsaw operators in the region. "The Birim River is heavily polluted with cyanide and mercury and other dangerous chemicals that were used by galamsey operators in illegal mining", and alleged that security personnel assisted those nation wreckers to carry out the nefarious activities. He expressed worry about boundary disputes and other challenges confronting the Commission.

Mr Ampofo said the "issue of areas classified as vested lands" needed to be explained to traditional authorities as most of them did not seem to understand the principle.

The new Commission has Nana Kodua Kesse III, Oyokohene and Adontehene of the New Juaben Traditional Council as its chairman. Other members include Mr S .Y Antwi, Regional Director Town and Country Planning, Mr Isaac Okyere Darko, representing the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mrs Evelyn Aboagye of National Farmers and Fishermen Association, Mr Daniel Koranteng, of Institute of Surveyors and a representative each from the 21 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region.