The New Juaben branch of the Wood Workers Association of Ghana (WAG)has appealed to government to assist such associations to acquire land for the planting of valuable trees, which will serve as raw materials for the wood industry. The WAG said such a measure would help reduce the over-reliance on the forest for timber and prevent confrontation between the law enforcement agencies and operators in the industry over timber concession. Mr. Samuel Amartey, chairman of WAG, who made the appeal during the formal inauguration of the association in Koforidua said stiff laws on timber concession were hampering the work of members. He said wood workers were finding it difficult to meet the demand of customers on time due to scarcity of timber. Mr. Amartey appealed to the New Juaben Municipal Assembly to establish a wood village for all carpenters and artisans for their easy identification to facilitate the payment of fees and taxes. Nana Adjei Boateng, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), responding to the request said government was committed to supporting all categories of workers to contribute effectively to national development. He said the authorities were therefore creating the enabling environment for small businesses such as those in wood works to effectively operate. Nana Boateng, however, cautioned that indiscriminate felling of timber that had degraded the country’s forests would not be tolerated. The MCE said the call for concessionary land for wood workers and a wood village to boost their work was laudable.Source: GNA