Prime News Ghana

W/R: Minister accused of involving in illegal logging in forest reserves

By Kweku Antwi Jnr
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Western Regional Minister has been accused of involving in illegal logging in the forest reserves
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Western Regional Minister has been accused of involving in illegal logging in the forest reserves
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Formal Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo has accused his successor, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, of involving in illegal logging in the forest reserves in the Region.

The former Minister has therefore advised residents in the Region not to trust Dr. Afriyies because the National Security and the Forestry Commission suspects he is part of the illegal operations in forest reserves.

Two weeks ago, the Sefwi Wiawso and Juaboso-Bia Forest Districts, in collaboration with the Ghana Arm Forces and the National Security operatives, embarked operations to battle illegal logging operators in the forest reserves in these two districts.

Some suspected illegal chainsaw operators and other personalities were arrested and sent to the Sefwi Wiawso District Police Command for further investigations and prosecution.

In the course of the investigations and possible prosecution, Dr. Afriyie, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso Constituency, allegedly ordered the leaders of the joint taskforce to end their operations with immediate effect since he was not aware.

Dr. Afriyie reportedly told the Forest Districts, the Ghana Arm Forces and the National Security operatives that he was the Chairman of the Western Regional Security Council but was not aware of the operation.

This reportedly resulted into verbal misunderstanding between the office of the Regional Minister and the National Security joint taskforce.

Reacting to the development in an interview on Takoradi based Liberty FM on Tuesday which was monitored by PrimeNewsGhana, Mr. Evans Aidoo said, there has been a security betrayal and political fear and panic talk on the part of the Minister which he describes as ‘dangerous and security threat’ in the Region.

“It is either the Minister was briefed but acted out of fear for his party folks who were arrested or he was not informed because the National Security doesn't trust him”, he explained.

He alleged that he has evidence that “the Western Regional Minister is part of the illegal activities in the forest reserves in the region that is the main reason why he was not informed of the operation".

Mr. Evans Aidoo called on the Minister to as a matter of urgency; render an unqualified apology to the National Security and the joint operation taskforce for he mishandled the situation and an action of betrayal which constitute a security threat.

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