The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has indicated that all confiscated rosewood would be donated to the construction of the National Cathedral.
Speaking to journalists at Tema Port after inspecting some five-container seized rosewood, Mr. Jinapor said it would be forwarded to the Forestry Commission Depot at Achimota and later forwarded to the construction site of the national cathedral.
It would be recalled that Member of Parliament for Builsa South Dr. Clement Apaak has called on government to make its action known on the seized ready to export containers of rosewood that were impounded by at the Tema Port.
The Builsa South MP in a statement released to the media explained that it has been a month since the banned woods were confiscated through intelligence and surveillance of Ghana Energy Commission, but government is yet to make public pronouncement on the seizure.
“It remains amazing how rosewood logs can be harvested in the savannah areas or middle belt of the country and be transported all the way through various road check points across the country to the Tema Port without being detected. Where are the police, Forestry Commission, customs officials and all the other law enforcement bodies along the long routes from the Savanna to the Coast?”
Dr. Apaak said the situation should serve as good opportunity for the new minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor to show the world that he is not just a tough talking minister but has the capacity to bring perpetrators of this illegal act to book.
However, Mr. Jinapor reiterated government’s directive regarding the ban placed on harvesting and export of rosewood, adding that Individuals and companies responsible for the criminal act of harvesting rosewood had been reported to the Police for further action.
He stressed that “Our duty is to put in the necessary steps to stop the illegal exportation of Rosewood in the country.”
He also said government is committed to ensuring sustainable and efficient management of Ghana’s land and natural resources and would work to protect it.
