Illegal loggers invade Kalakpa Resource Reserve
The Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta Region risks losing most of its trees to illegal logging if steps are not taken immediately to reverse the situation.
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The Daily Graphic has gathered that for the past three months there has been massive felling of trees in the reserve at areas such as Fosime, Adaklu Torkpetoe and Dokpo.
More than 20 containers of logs are said to have been moved out of the reserve over the past three months.
Some field staff working with the resource reserve are said to be involved in the illegal logging in the sanctuary.
Evidence of illegal logging
The tree stumps and branches are evidence of the illegal activity in the reserve.
According to sources, some of these field staff have granted some wood companies access to the reserve at night to fell mostly the rose wood, considered to be one of the most expensive woods in the country.
One of the sources (name withheld) stated: “This has not been the situation in the past. We fear that if nothing is done about the issue, we will only have the name as Kalakpa Game Reserve on paper but in reality no such reserve will exist.”
Call for Investigations
The resource reserve is located in two traditional areas, the Abutia and Adaklu.
The illicit practice has led to the youth calling for investigations and prosecution of any identified official.
The District Chief Executive for Adaklu, Mr Emmanuel Sky Ganaku, confirmed in an interview that his outfit had received reports of the illegal logging and, therefore, had reported the matter for investigations to be conducted.
The Paramount Chief of the Abutia Traditional Area, Togbui Abutia Kodzo Gidi, also said he had information about the illegal logging a week ago and contacted the park manager who said the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission in Ho has started some investigations.
The chief said the council was waiting for the report from the Forestry Commission to know what the issues were.
“We the indigenes don’t go to the reserve because we are prevented from doing so. Therefore, if some trees are missing in the forest, those who are supposed to protect the area must be held accountable.”
Hand over reserve
Togbui Gidi said before the issue of the illegal felling of trees came up, the executive committee of the traditional council had agreed collectively on January 2, 2016 to petition the government over the lack of development of the reserve.
“There has been no development of the reserve since government took over the area. If government is no longer interested in the reserve, it should hand it over to the traditional areas,” he said.
No comment
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Assistant Wildlife Officer of the Kalakpa Resource Reserve, Mr Thomas Awuni, he said he could not comment on the issue and directed the reporter to the park manager, who also declined to talk with the excuse that he was travelling.
