Renowned Environmentalist Appeals To Prez Mahama To Halt Illegal Felling Of Aburi Gardens Trees

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, an environmentalist and President of Friends of Rivers and Water Bodies, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and halt any illegal activity on property belonging to the Aburi Botanical Gardens. Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, speaking in an interview on Peace FM's " Kokrokoo", called on President John Mahama to issue directives to the Chief of Aburi, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II who has been accused by some residents of being behind the cutting down of trees at the Botanical Gardens. �I plead with the President to halt the project and direct the Assembly to re-afforest the area because it�s very disgraceful. I also plead with the Minister of Tourism to ensure that this thing is not carried out,� Nana Dwomoh said. The Aburihene and DCE for Akwapim South, Frank Kwadwo Afari-Djan have been accused of cutting down the trees on some plots of land with the Gardens ostensibly to put up an Assembly Complex for the District at Aburi. So far, about two acres of the forest reserve have been destroyed due to the cutting down of the trees. But Nana Dwomoh says the trees within the Botanical Garden should not be ruined since it is of great value to the nation. He explained that the planting of trees and forest reserves are relevant so far as the development of the country is concerned and so, should be protected against any intrusion or any attempt to cut them down. He said for posterity sake, the Aburihene and the Assembly should relocate the Assembly Complex and maintain the forest reserve for future purposes.