Farmers at Kwasi Fante in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region are calling for urgent government intervention over the increasing illegal cutting of rosewood and mahogany trees in the area.
The farmers say the growing destruction of these valuable trees is not only damaging their farmlands but also threatening the environment, a situation that undermines Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) which focuses on protecting and restoring life on land.
According to the farmers, unknown individuals often invade their farms at night to cut down rosewood and mahogany trees without permission. Others reportedly peel the bark of the trees for herbal medicine, while some burn the wood to produce charcoal for sale.
The farmers explained that these activities are gradually degrading the forest and destroying crops on their farms, affecting their livelihoods.
“We wake up to see our trees destroyed and parts of our farms damaged,” – some of the farmers lamented, describing the situation as worrying.
They warned that if the illegal activities are not stopped, the area could experience serious environmental challenges such as loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and reduced vegetation cover.
The farmers therefore appealed to the government, the Forestry Commission and security agencies to intensify patrols and strictly enforce laws against illegal logging and tree destruction in the area.
They believe that protecting the trees is not only important for the environment but also for the future of farming in the Afram Plains.
According to them, decisive action against the perpetrators will help preserve the district’s natural resources and ensure that farmlands remain productive for generations to come.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com
