Information reaching Ahafonews.com reveals that two chainsaw operators by name Oteele and Koo have met their untimely death when they left their h
Information reaching Ahafonews.com reveals that two chainsaw operators by name Oteele and Koo have met their untimely death when they left their homes to hunt for money from the Sefwi Wiawso Forest. The deceased are residents of Sankore in the Asunafo South District in the Ahafo Region.
According to our sources, some of the youth revealed that due to lack of jobs in Sankore in Asunafo South, Ahafo region, some of the youth resort to illegal lumbering. It is therefore a widely accepted fact that the acts are against the law.
The illegal act has led to the vast depletion of adjoining Forests in Asunafo South such as the Abonyere Forest Reserve and Bonsam Bep). It is the depletion of these forests in Asunafo South and that has led them to venture into forests in other regions.
It is alleged the Paramount chief of the Sefwi Wiawso in a quest to protect his forest which lies on the border of Asunafo South with adjoining communities such as Agyeikrom, and Adwumamu has been protecting the evergreen forest using community volunteer groups and and the police.
According to our sources, the position of the People of Sefwi Wiawso is that, they must protect their land. This is seen to be a fair point by many. One resident of Sefwi Wiawso Kwasi Afriyie posed the question ‘ Why should people in one region come to our region to take our timber? Don’t we also have unemployed youth in our towns who could be cliaming that becuase of unemployment, they must deplete the forest?
The rift between some unemployed youth of Sankore to gain a source of income and the authorities on the other hand to protect the forest is a thorny issue which is still simmering and needs immediate attention.
It is allegedly reported that, on the 13 of December, a group of Chainsaw operators entered the aforementioned Sefwi Wiawso forest against the laws of the land to cut timber. That forest lies between Agyeikrom and Kokooso according to our investigations.
In the quest to protect the forest, a patrol team on their routine duty apprehended some youth who hady entered the forest with a tractor. The tractor had broken down and was being attended to.
Apparently three road blocks were set up by the chainsaw operators to prevent the security from entering the forest. It is reported that the youth opened gunfire aimed at the police who were on duty in a non branded pick-up.
Upon being first attacked, the security forces had no option than to take cover and also open fire in retaliation. This all happened in near darkness.
The exchange of gunshots has so far left three persons dead and the local communities are deeply troubled with unease in the area. Two persons were killed instantly and one died a day later.
Two security officers were also reportedly hit by gunshots and their car attacked. We are yet to know if there are any casualties on the side of the security forces at this stage. These are the brief details from the 13th December 2021.
It remains to be seen what line of action will be taken next to restore calm and order.
LThe questions most people are asking are as follows.
Why was a police car or Forestry Commission vehicle not used by the security men?
Others are also asking if these men were member of the police service or Forestry Commission Task Force.
Are the guns used registered guns?
Is it right to illegally enter into the forest in another region?
Who owes the tractor?
Is there anyway this problem can be resolved?
AhafoNews.com is calling on the relevant authorities to rise up to the task ahead so as not to compromise the existing peace.
The poor youth of Asunafo South who are being dying in the name of unemployment.
Leadership must act in the interest of the youth.
What are your views? Do you know anything about this incident? Do you have more information kindly report to Ahafonews.com or the police.
#AhafoNews
#Ahafforestry
REPORT BY: SIR PHYLOSE
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