GENERAL NEWS

Beyi W’ano: Minister reports ‘corrupt’ chiefs to NIB over cattle invasion of forest reserves

According to reports, these sub-chiefs are given a cow or even a calf to give them access into the reserve to feed their cattle.

Forest reserves including Tain 1, Tain 2, Yaya, Nsemire and Sawsaw, all in the Bono Region are being ravaged by the cattle.

They are said to have destroyed large hectares of land, food crops and trees planted under the Green Ghana programme by government and several other investments by both government and other agencies in the forest sub-sector.

The situation is dire in spite of efforts by the Bono East Municipal Assembly, Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission and the Bono Regional Security Council to mount sustained pressure on all nomadic herdsmen.

Bono Regional Minister

A distraught Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene, on Beyi W’ano, a segment on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday said she has written to the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to investigate the allegations levelled against the chiefs.

She bemoaned the rapid increase of cattle in the forest reserve despite efforts to flush them out.

The Bono Regional Minister said they have given the herdsmen and cattle owners ample time to move but they have refused.

Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene stated unequivocally that, if persuasion fails, force will be applied.

Also, Bono East MCE, Kofi Adjei, who is leading the fight, said they are now at their wits end.

He said allegation of some chiefs being enablers in the Fulani menace has come to his attention and they are investigating it

In the interim, Hon. Adjei, who has backed a ‘shoot to kill’ measure, said they are working to get soldiers as forest guards to save the reserve from depletion.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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