Paramount Chief Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama Calls For Restoration of Chiefs’ Authority In Forest Protection
The Paramount Chief for Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II, has lamented the destruction of the country’s forest reserve through illegal mining and logging.
Omanhene Bumangama expressed sentiment during a visit by former President Dramani Mahama at the Ko-Gye Abo Palace at Sefwi Wiawso.
We would love for you to address some important things when you come back to power. We call upon you to help us, so that we know that you love the people of the Western North Region.
Okatakyie Bumangama II appealed to the flag bearer to revert the power of chiefs to have full control over the protection of the forest if he returns to power in next year’s election.
Former President John Mahama said plans have already been implemented to develop the region and collaborate with traditional leaders to fight forest degradation.
“There are several important things that you can do for a region’s development. Not just giving it a name. When former President Mills was in power, he made it a policy that every region should at least have a public university. And this is still the policy of the NDC party.
“So either we build new universities in the new regions or campus universities must be implemented in these new regions. So this is one thing that we will put in our manifesto.”
“A forestry expert told me that there are 37 forest reserves in Ghana, and out of those, only 18 are untouched. The rest have been riddled with illegal mining, or trees have been cut down from these forests. We will address these issues when we come into power.”
