Two major developments over the weekend have stirred public concern across Ghana, a growing environmental controversy in the Bono East Region and a deadly security incident in the Upper East Region.
The Bosomoa Forest Reserve in the Bono East Region is facing a major environmental threat following the clearance of about 20 acres of forest land to make way for the construction of a proposed Nursing and Midwifery Training School.
Located between Jema and Ampoma near Kintampo, the Bosomoa Reserve is one of only three remaining forest reserves in the region. It is managed by the Kintampo Forest District of the Forest Services Division (FSD) under the Forestry Commission (FC). Forestry officials have described the development as a serious encroachment that poses significant risks to the ecological integrity of the reserve.
Emergency Stakeholder Meeting
The Bono East Regional Manager of the FSD, David Kwaku Appiagyei, was summoned to an emergency stakeholder meeting convened by the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, to discuss the matter.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Bono East Regional Police Commander, ACP Boadu, the Kintampo South District Chief Executive, Wilfred Zuuri, the Kintampo South District Police Commander, Superintendent Ernest Kodjo Doukonoo, the Kintampo South Constituency Chairman, Robert Sakyi (Slima), the Kintampo Forest District Manager, Maxwell Agyekum Oteng, and his deputy, Owusu Ansah.
Security Concerns
Security officials reportedly cautioned that any attempt by the Forestry Commission to halt or delay the project could provoke strong resistance from residents of Jema and Ampoma. The warning came as the FC’s Rapid Response Team, tasked with protecting the reserve from encroachment and illegal activities, was deployed to the area.
Forestry Commission Cautions Against Illegal Construction
Speaking at the meeting, Appiagyei stressed that constructing any infrastructure within a gazetted forest reserve is a violation of national conservation laws and could set a dangerous precedent for future encroachments.
“The right channel, an appeal to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Presidency must be applied for a gazette to relinquish the protected area for the proposed college,” he explained.
He added that until such a process is completed, the Bosomoa Forest Reserve remains a protected area and cannot be used for any development purpose.
“The reserve remains gazetted and protected, and cannot therefore be encroached upon by anybody,” he cautioned.
Growing Tension
The situation has sparked concerns among environmental advocates and local authorities, who fear the development could lead to a wave of similar encroachments on other forest reserves in the region if not addressed swiftly.
By Peter Quao Adattor
