Sokoban wood village: Parliament to summon Sir John over persistent seizure of woods

The chairman of the parliamentary select committee on Lands and Forestry Hon. Francis Manu Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East has disclosed that,  the committee will soon summon the Chief Executive Officer  for the forestry commission,  Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John  to appear before the committee the to answer allegations of extortion levelled against him.

This follows a petition filed by Ghana Sawn Timber Sellers Association (GSTSA) against the CEO of the Forestry Commission Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John to register their concerns.

Sokoban Wood Workers Association have bemoaned the recent seizure of their lumbers and wood products by officers of FC which they say has led to the collapse of the domestic lumber trade.

According to them, the role of the Forest Services Division (FSD) and the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) is not clearly defined and has contributed to the continues impoundment of their goods by the FC led by Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the Chief Executive Officer, though, they have certification to operate.

But the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry at a meeting with the wood workers at the Sokoban Wood Village in Kumasi on Wednesday, 28 February 2018, urged them to exercise restraint since steps are being taken to resolve their concerns.

The chairman of the committee, Francis Manu-Adabo, said the necessary authorities will be engaged to explain their side of the matter and find the necessary measures to resolve the issue.

He said Minister for Land and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu; Chief Executive Officer of the FC, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie; and the Director of TIDD will be engaged to explain their part and find solution to the problem.

He assured the wood merchants that the committee will resolve their concerns in a week and therefore urged them to exercise restraint.

He, therefore, advised them not to politicise the problem because it is not the intention of president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to prevent them from embarking on their legitimate business.

Source: otecfmghana.com/  Isaac Nsiah Foster