UWR: Dr. Hafiz wows to Arrest Anyone who fall tree without His permission

The Upper West Regional Minister, Honourable Dr Hafiz Bin Salih has wowed that anyone who falls a tree without following due diligence processes would be arrested.

He admonished illegal harvesters of rosewood to immediately stop it or face his wrath.

“Anyone who is caught felling rosewood and other economic tresses without my permission will be allowed to face the full rigors of the law,” he emphasized.

Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih did not mince words when he told traditional leaders within the Dorimon Paramountcy that any chief caught in the act will be dealt with without fear or favour. He expressed his disappointment about the involvement of some chiefs and traditional leaders in the indiscriminate felling of rosewood and other commercial tress within the Dorimon paramountcy.

The Minister also charged the Police and the other security agencies to be up to task urging that, anyone caught in the act must be stiffly dealt with within the bosom of the laws.

The caution statement was made at the Doriman Naa’s Palace during an official visit by the Upper West Regional Security Council (REGSEC) under the able leadership of Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih to inform the Chief of their intention to stage “war against” illegal harvesters of rosewood and galamsey operators in the region.

Honourable Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper West Regional Minister

Meanwhile, the Paramount Chief of Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa Sohimwininye Danaa Gori II strongly stated his commitment to helping the fight against felling of rosewood and other commercial tresses, adding that the Minister’s move has reignited his will and power to bring to book anyone who is culpable in the indiscriminate felling of trees.

Dorimon Naa further reechoed that chiefs who are involved in the devastating act will not be shielded by him or any traditional leader. The chief also appealed to Assembly members and unit committee members to report with the needed urgency illegal harvesting of the woods to him and he would not hesitate in getting the police and the Regional Minister informed for sanctions to be occasioned.

The Minister and his entourage later visited Salmana a community under Wa West District to have a glimpse of the woods harvested and dumped by the illegal operators. To his surprise, logs of harvested palpa trees were spotted parked into a corner at the community by the operators.

The Minister’s quest to meet the Chief of the community proved futile after meeting an empty compound house that reportedly belongs to the Chief.

Abdul Sammed Gurundari, UWR