Two NGOs opposes agreement to establish timber factory in Tumu

Tumu (U/W), Aug. 17, GNA – Two local
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the Sissala East
Municipality of the Upper West Region have expressed their opposition to the
intension to establish a timber processing factory in Tumu.

The NGOs, namely; Action for Sustainable
Development (ASUDEV) and Sustainable Aid Through Voluntary Establishment
(SAVE-Ghana) described as appalling a document brought to their attention
titled “Framework of memorandum of understanding between Bachapong and Li
Songqoun Company and Sissala East Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities
and other stakeholders” on the said deal. 

A joint statement signed by Osman Luriwie
Kanton, Executive Director, ASUDEV; and Sule Tayiru Dintie, Executive Director,
SAVE-Ghana, said Bachapong and Li Songqoun Company was a “forest based company”
which intends to “process round timber and modified timber of various dimensions
and other finished products”.

“First of all we wish to bring to the notice
of the general public and the citizens of the Sissala East Municipality that
even though the said agreement did not directly mention our names as being part
of the consultations, we deem it necessary to issue this disclaimer to dispel
any impression that we have been part of the said consultations as
non-governmental organizations”, it said.

The statement said “we are completely
opposed to the setting up of this timber factory and we encourage all
well-meaning citizens to condemn it and demand accountability from leaders to
ensure that this company immediately ceases its intensions”.

It said the NGOs are clear in their
conviction that the establishment of this factory would constitute an
irreversible commitment and endorsement by the community to degrade our
environment and put the livelihoods of many people at peril.

The statement said checks reveal that the
company was already flouting its promise to offer employment opportunities to
youth of the catchment area by already bringing several young people from other
regions which were already working on the site located next to a forest reserve
in Tumu.

 “Every Ghanaian knows where timber abounds in
this country. Any well-meaning business would not sight timber factory in a
desert-prone location. This is just not right”, the statement said.

GNA