The Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Mr. Augustine Kofi Gyedu has called for stiffer punishment for perpetrators of Ghana’s forest reserves.
The manager believes that the incessant depletion of the forests reserves in the country is a result of the minimum sanctions that are invariably being set for illegal lumbermen (Chainsaw Operators) and illegal miners.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Oyerepa Online, Monday, 21st March 2022, on World Forest Day, Mr. Gyedu bemoaned how illegal mining and illegal logging is washing away the country’s rich forest reserves.
According to him, the menace is seriously affecting the expansion of the country’s rich vegetation and the Ghana Forestry Commission has been spending huge sums of money in the fight against illegal activities.
He declared that all illegal activities against the forests are as a result of the minimum punishment that is being given to offenders.
As per him, the sanctions some judges give to the culprits are not deterrent enough to keep them away from their acts.
‘Some offenders are being given minimum sentences, and this does not push them to refrain from wrongdoing. Because at the end of the day if the offender realizes that he may get a surplus from his dealings despite a fine; he will continue to deplete the forest reserves.” Kofi Gyedu stated.
He asserted further that, judges should begin to give stiffer punishment for culprits to deter others from embarking on the similar operation.
“I’m pleading with the judges to give stiffer punishment for people who will be guilty of depleting the forest reserves.”
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
