The District Chief Executive of the Bole-Bamboi District of the Savannah Region Hon. Veronica Alele Heming has warned that all charcoal burners and rosewood loggers in the Bole district to immediately stop all charcoal burning and rosewood activities as the District Security Council set to hold an emergency DISEC meeting over the cutting down of shea trees in Tinga
She said commercial charcoal burning and rosewood logging in the area is posing a security threat to the livelihood of many people especially women who are dependent on shea.
Hundreds of shea trees have been cut down in Tinga in the Bole – Bamboi District of the newly created Savannah Region by charcoal burners. The trees are been cut to be used in burning charcoal for export to Accra and Kumasi.
The charcoal burners prefer the shea tree because it is alleged that its charcoal lasts longer. DCE announced this after she visited Tinga to see the extent of damage of shea trees that have been cut down by charcoal burners.
The Savannah Region in recent times has been hit by massive logging of not just shea trees but also rosewood.
But the shea tree offers jobs for several women, children and the youth in the area who largely depend on it as their sources of livelihood.
It is used for soap making, butter, medicine and also serves as food for many people especially those living in rural areas.
Even though the shea tree has several commercial values, it has been under attack by charcoal burners in recent times.
Madam Alele Heming said the outcome of the DISEC meeting will determine the next line of action as to whether the arrest will be made, fine people or jail people for cutting fresh shea trees for charcoal.
“I really take this as security matter and because of that, I have instructed the Secretary to the DISEC to call for an emergency DISEC meeting with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to this menace” she stated.
She indicated that the rate at which these commercial trees are been destroyed if not checked by authorities in Bole would soon bring chaos among residents and communities because will want to defend their livelihoods.
The DCE blamed the chiefs in Bole for doing little over the issues of commercial charcoal burning and rosewood logging in the area.
She said because of the chieftaincy crisis in the area it is making it difficult for the assembly and DISEC to be able to take certain decisions that they think will be in the best interest of residents.
DCE cautioned Forestry Service Division in Bole and other stakeholders that are giving receipts for people to be able to burn and transport charcoal should be prepared to face sanctions if found culpable.
“Forestry Service Division, traditional heads in Bole or any youth group including the assembly should stop giving receipt or conveyance certificate for charcoal burners because it is this that is promoting charcoal trade”
Madam Alele stated that it is her responsibility as a DCE and DISEC Chairman together with all traditional rulers in Bole district, forestry commission and the security agencies to protect the livelihood of people in the area
She said her mother was able to take care of her education through the income she generated from shea nuts and today she has been made a DCE for Bole.
“I will be making myself a disservice in my capacity as a woman DCE if I failed to protect what belongs to women and generation to come because I know very well that it was this same shea that my mother picked and was able to take care of my education” she indicated.
Hon. Alele Heming questioned why people from down south will always come and burn charcoal in the North despite all the huge trees they have over South.
DCE urged residents not to sit down and allow these people to come and destroy vegetation in the Savannah Region.