The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has admonished traditional authorities in the Bono Region to support government's efforts at protecting the nation’s forest reserves from illegal mining activities.

Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor said this is vital to preserve the forest reserves for the future generation.

According to him, government has recognised the chieftaincy institution as a key development partner, hence its appeal as part of measures to curb the rapid and extensive destruction of the nation’s forest cover.

Mr. Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Damango, made the appeal when he interacted with the Bono Regional House of Chiefs in Sunyani on Monday, as part of a day’s working visit to the region.

He indicated the Bono Region has the highest forest reserves in the country, and his Ministry will not succeed in preserving the forest resources without the support of the chiefs and queens in the region.

Mr. Jinapor gave the assurance that government would engage regularly with traditional authorities pertaining to the nation’s development processes.

He, therefore, encouraged the chiefs to collaborate with the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and take pragmatic steps to protect the region’s forest reserves.

Mr. Jinapor also reminded the chiefs of the passage of the Lands Act 1036, 2020, which would help control the indiscriminate sale of lands and bring sanity into land administration in the country.

He said the Lands Commission has been tasked to intensify nationwide public sensitization on the Act and advised the chiefs to get themselves abreast with the new legislation.

Mr. Jinapor extended President Akufo-Addo’s appreciation to the traditional authorities in the region for their support to his government.

Earlier in his welcome address, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, the Paramount Chief of Drobo Traditional Area and Vice President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs said it is necessary for the nation to protect her forest resources as part of its climate change mitigation action.

He said the impact of climate change has been felt in parts of the country, and should government fail to tackle the menace in a more proactive way, the country could possibly experience famine in some years to come.

Okokyeredom Ako II indicated the house is developing a proposal to go into massive tree plantation along major river courses in the region in 2022.

Reacting to the proposal, the Lands Minister described the initiative as laudable and promised that the Ministry would support the house with the required funding and logistics.

The Minister later interacted with agencies under the sector and commended them for their dedicated and selfless services, saying the Ministry depends on them to preserve forest reserves in the region.