Stakeholders resolve Okyenhene Brouhaha task force

Regional news for Friday, January 15, 2021

Source: Mawuli Viwotor, Contributor

01/15/2021

Following the reactions of the Ghana Timber Association and other forest sector stakeholders on the establishment of a checkpoint at Bunsu Junction under the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin, an emergency meeting was called to resolve the problem.

Reports indicate that the meeting ended successfully with the intervention of the Forestry Commission to collaborate with the traditional authority and various stakeholders to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.

Ghana Timber Association President Alex Dadzie and his leadership actively negotiated the deal that would chart an amicable path for all stakeholders involved in the hubbub.

It appeared that the working group had been created to ensure that only legal timber could be transported along the route. The task force was created because of concerns about illegal chainsaw operations in the area.

The Ghana Timber Association, a group made up of timber traders in the country, along with other stakeholders, had expressed doubts about the task force, calling for its demolition.

This prompted an immediate meeting between the various stakeholders, with the Forestry Commission stepping in to resolve the issue.

The different organizations decided to work together to ensure that the timber trade is not hampered while putting in place measures to limit the activities of illegal loggers.

Some timber traders using the Eastern Region Corridor had complained of obstacles in their work due to a task force operating at Bunsu Junction, allegedly set up by Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin.

They alleged that their trucks were guarded for hours and, sometimes, days by the task force, on the grounds that they were checking the authenticity of their documents.

This prompted reactions leading to an emergency meeting which resolved the matter.