Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has pleaded with the Forestry Commission in the Eastern Region to establish the necessary measures to protect the forest reserves and water bodies from the activities of illegal miners.
Speaking at the commissioning of an office complex for the Forestry Commission in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, he noted that Atiwa forest and others in the locality are under attack.
“Atiwa forest and various forests in the Eastern region are under attack from illegal miners, and galamseyers.”
“Please rid these forest reserves of illegal miners and illegal loggers and other activities which threaten the survival of forest reserves in our country,” he said.
However, the Damongo MP assured that the Forestry Commission would be provided with the needed tools to fight the menace.
Mr Jinapor insisted that no one would be spared regardless of their stature.
“You [Forestry Commission] have our full support, whether they are high people or low people, whether political leaders or not, your work is to ensure that all forest reserves in this country are protected.”
“Government will provide bulletproof vests and other weapons to aid your work,” he added.