The Bosomoa Forest Reserve in the Bono East Region is at the centre of growing controversy, following the clearance of approximately 20 acres of the Reserve, to pave the way for the construction of a proposed Nursing and Midwifery Training School.
Located between the Jema and Ampoma communities near Kintampo in the Bono East Region, the Reserve is one of only three remaining forest reserves in the Region, and falls under the management of the Kintampo Forest District of the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission (FC).
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Forestry officials say the development constitutes a major encroachment, threatening the ecological integrity of the Reserve.
The Bono East Regional Manager, Forest Services Division (FSD), Mr. David Kwaku Appiagyei, was summoned to an emergency stakeholder meeting convened by the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, to address the situation.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Bono East Regional Police Commander, ACP Boadu; the Kintampo South District Chief Executive, Wilfred Zuuri; the Kintampo South District Police Commander, Supt. Ernest Kodjo Doukonoo; the Kintampo South Constituency Chairman, Mr. Robert Sakyi (Slima); the Kintampo Forest District Manager, Mr. Maxwell Agyekum Oteng; and his Deputy, Mr. Owusu Ansah.
During the deliberations, security officials cautioned that any attempt by the FC to stop or delay the project could incite strong resistance from the Jema and Ampoma communities.
This caution, was in particular reference to the Rapid Response Team of the FC which was deployed as the frontline security unit to protect the Bosomoa Forest Reserve, against encroachment and other forest illegalities.
According to Mr. Appiagyei, the construction of infrastructure within a gazetted forest reserve violates national conservation laws and sets a dangerous precedent for future encroachment on reserve lands.
He said, “The right channel, thus an appeal to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as well as the Presidency, must be applied for a gazette to relinquish the protected area for the proposed college”.
Until that has been done, the Forest Reserve “remains gazetted, and a protected area and cannot therefore be encroached on for any purpose by anybody”, he cautioned.
