Stop Commercial Charcoal Burning in Savannah Region - NAGS

The National Association of Gonjaland Students (NAGS) has called on all stakeholders to help curb commercial charcoal burning in the Savannah Region.

According to the NAGS, the dangers of falling trees in the forest is what has resulted in the change of rainfall pattern in the area.

Speaking to  Abdul Fataw Sumaila, the President of the Association in a telephone conversation with Abdul Sammed Gurundari of Soireenews after a press conference held in Bole in the Savannah Region said the Association has joined the call to end charcoal burning in commercial quantities to safeguard the forest in Gonjaland.

He pointed out that despite several attempts in previous years to curb the menace has failed, the Association thinks the current Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and also the Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency and a royal son of Gonja traditional area,  Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor would not relent on his effort to climb down the canker.

The Association should dedicate a concrete plan in its capacity to stop this long awaiting activity in the region. Mr Abdul Fatawu said the Association observed the youth in the region are not pleased with the level of deforestation in the area.

He pleaded with opinion leaders and all stakeholders to play a role in protecting the forest reserve and natural resources of the region.

“We want to use your media and platform to appeal to all sundry and all that, they should try as much as possible for us to safeguard the natural resources that God has given this great region for one day it will be one of the greatest regions in Ghana,” he pleaded.

Commercial charcoal burning business is rapidly flourishing in the Upper West, Savannah, Northern, North East regions of Ghana, however, the Association also raised grave concerns over illegal logging and smuggling of rosewood.

When asked if a ban on charcoal burning will not snatch away the livelihoods of people involved directly in the business to Mr Fatawu.

“We as a people can come out with a lot of ways to pay our children’s school fees and we shouldn’t resort to miscommunication to say that,” he said.

“Today we might not see the consequences but the farmers are experiencing it. Look at the amount of rainfall we are witnessing in the Savannah region it is as a result of charcoal burning. So we are urging on everyone please let's try to find other alternative ways to pay our fees.”

The National Association of Gonjaland Students is a body that coordinates students of all levels residing within and without the Savannah region but are connected tribes in the region.

Abdul Sammed Gurundari, Savannah Region