The National Gonjaland Youth Association (NGYA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fight against illegal lumbering in the entire Gonjaland in the Northern Region.<\/p>\n
The indiscriminate cutting of trees particularly rosewood for export became pervasive in the area.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”ziNb1aZRFuMSBarYXa85rt43GaFQpeJP”]Some self-seeking chiefs and individuals in Gonjaland collaborated with the contractors whose activities endangered the vegetative cover of Gonjaland.<\/p>\n
It was against that backdrop, the National Gonjaland Youth Association declared zero tolerance for the cutting of rosewood in the area.<\/p>\n
The association\u2019s leadership petitioned the Ministry of Natural Resources, Lands and Environment and the Northern Regional Police Command.<\/p>\n
Such a move halted the nefarious activities but the association is alarmed by recent widespread speculations in Gonjaland it has changed its position.<\/p>\n
In press statement copied Citi News<\/strong>, the association\u2019s Executive Secretary, Dramani Dari impressed upon well-meaning citizens of Gonjaland to ignore such speculations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe association has noted with dismay the recent rumors that the Association intents to allow the activities of illegal logging of rosewood in Gonjaland.\u201d<\/p>\n He posited, \u201cWe have also noted that some individuals and groups for the past years deliberately or otherwise played active role in the mismanagement of these resources for their selfish gain thereby denying the people and generations to come the benefit of these resources.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe wish to state that at our recent Central Committee Meeting held at Kpembe in the East Gonja District, members unanimously condemned the activity of logging and other misuse of natural resources in Gonjaland,\u201d Dari revealed.<\/p>\n He thus called on the general public to disregard such speculations. \u201cWe have not issued any statement to that effect since we have no mandate to order such activity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018In line with this, a symposium will soon be organized where expects would be invited to unearth and also share the effective use of such resources,\u201d Dari disclosed.<\/p>\n Dramani Dari unveiled the association\u2019s plan to hold its next annual congress at Buipe in the Central Gonja District.<\/p>\n He said, \u201cThe theme will focus on the effective management of our natural resources: this theme has been chosen to address the misuse of natural resources over the years in Gonjaland.\u201d<\/p>\n Chieftaincy matters<\/strong><\/p>\n Dramani Dari appealed to traditional authorities and the youth in Gonjaland to eschew uncalled for chieftaincy disputes which could disintegrate the natives.<\/p>\n \u201cLet us ensure that all matters relating to chieftaincy and conflicts are promptly addressed to ensure lasting peace in the area: whiles we appeal to the youth to remain calm and respect our traditions, the association will not encourage any lawlessness in the area and any youth who will disregard the decision of our traditional authorities shall bear the consequences of their actions appropriately.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Dramani Dari, the association believed that all chieftaincy disputes recorded in Gonjaland could be resolved in line with best customary practices.<\/p>\n He restated the association\u2019s respect for ethnic diversity and inter-religious dialogue in the country.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wish to emphasize that Gonjas respect all ethnic groups irrespective of religious, tribal and political affiliation in Ghana.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, let us eschew pronouncements that seek to divide us as a people but rather concentrate our energies on issues that bind us as one people,\u201d Dari stressed.<\/p>\n The Gonjaland, traditional home of incumbent President John Dramani Mahama is endowed with resources such as gold, salt, Shea nuts, enough water bodies, limestone and arable land.<\/p>\n Some of the world\u2019s acclaimed tourists sites found there include the Mole Game Reserve, the slave market in Salaga and the mysterious Larabanga mosque in West Gonja.<\/p>\n The youth especially those in Daboya are noted for their prowess in weaving materials meant for sewing smocks and other traditional regalia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The National Gonjaland Youth Association (NGYA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fight against illegal lumbering in the entire Gonjaland in the Northern Region. The indiscriminate cutting of trees particularly rosewood for export became pervasive in the area. [contextly_sidebar id=”ziNb1aZRFuMSBarYXa85rt43GaFQpeJP”]Some self-seeking chiefs and individuals in Gonjaland collaborated with the contractors whose activities endangered the vegetative cover […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[54,17],"yoast_head":"\n