General News of Friday, 3 September 2021
Source: 3news.com
2021-09-03
Mp for Builsa South Constituency Dr. Clement Apaak
Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency Dr. Clement Apaak, has taken on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for what he insinuates as unfairness in dealing with the canker of rosewood felling and importation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP said he cannot appreciate the recent “speed” with which Samuel Abu Jinapor handed over the case of 13 imported containers of rosewood to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) when previous similar cases on impounds have been ignored.
Mr. Jinapor, who is also MP for Damongo Constituency, referred the case recorded at the Tema Port on Tuesday, August 31 to the NIB for “comprehensive investigations” to unravel the suspects and circumstances leading to the importation of the wood.
“My inability to commend the Minister is because he is yet to act similarly with regards to 5 containers of rosewood impounded on June 17th at Tema port,” Dr. Apaak wrote on Thursday, September 2, “and a container impounded earlier this month in the Savelugu District on August 12th.”
He continued: “Why the Minister moved swiftly in the case of the imported rosewood into Ghana from Nigeria, yet seems lethargic in asking the same NIB to investigate the rosewood stolen from within Ghana is perplexing. Something is not right!”
The logging of rosewood, particularly in the northern parts of Ghana, is illegal and culprits, most especially Chinese, have been arrested and prosecuted for engaging in the activity.