Former Executive Director of Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC), Bishop Akolgo has warned against the exploitation of rosewood to fund political activities.

This according to him has the potential to haunt the nation since other extremists can join in the exploitation for personal gains.

Citing countries like Senegal, Sudan, and DR Congo, Mr. Akolgo said they have had experiences where rosewoods and charcoal were being used to fund activities of rebels.

Mr. Akolgo who raised these concerns when he presented a paper on the illegal trading of rosewood in Ghana advised the ruling elite to address the menace of illegal logging in the country.

He said the area was under siege following the transition of rosewood from being just a medicinal plant and used domestically to an internationally sought-after tree.

“Because the middle income and high-income people want to restore their prestige, the demand for rosewood went through the roof,” he said

He further noted that with a lot of money flowing in the development chain it has empowered a lot of illegal deals starting from the international levels down to the local communities.

“These actors have a lot of money to be able to penetrate our institutions to be able to harvest and export rosewood without being harassed,” Mr. Akolgo added.

The former Executive Director also accused Chinese businessmen of conniving with their local business partners in Ghana to purchase political power and mute the locals at the community level.

He said political parties both in government and opposition have been used to silence communities who protest against illegal logging of rosewood.

“We have a big problem. The environment is been degraded, livelihoods are being threatened but communities are powerless in the fight against the menace."

On his part, the Executive Director of Star-Ghana foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko Amidu in his welcome address indicated that the menace of illegal rosewood logging has reached unsustainable levels and is beginning to pose an existential threat to the North.

He said while regulations are almost inactive, the issues surrounding the illegal trade have gone out of hand.

Speaking at a stakeholder’s dialogue on "illegal logging of rosewood in northern Ghana," Alhaji Tanko said the activity is ravaging everything in the north making life difficult for the people.

“Out of that desperation for the ineffectiveness of our laws and for the inaction of authorities, we are beginning to see local citizens who are frustrated and affected by these things take actions,” the Star-Ghana boss said

He said local actions alone cannot stop the trade and called for a joint action from CSOs, chiefs and the citizens to fight the illegality.

The multi-stakeholder approach he noted will lead to action from both government and the community members, he noted.

The Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarem blamed the striping of powers of chiefs as the reason for the continuous destruction of rosewood in the area.

According to Naba Salifu, powerful kingpins including politicians are aiding the illegal trade.

The Paramount chief apologised on behalf of chiefs for not being able to prevent the rosewood menace.

“It is mandatory of chiefs to protect the environment once you are enskin as a chief, your primary responsibility is to protect the environment, wealth is a secondary matter.

“So for we the chiefs to now come and compromise this because of wealth to destroy the environment is why I apologised,” he told the gathering.

The event held in Tamale was organised by Star-Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the Baobab market.