Fafaa Fm Information For Intervention
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, says government will clamp down on the cartel promoting the business of rosewood despite a ban on the harvesting of the species.
The Minister also assured that government will transparently manage Ghana’s Natural resources.
Samuel Abu Jinapor made the pronouncements in Accra on Friday September, 17, when he officially handed over seized 18 containers of Rosewood to the National Cathedral Secretariat.
The gesture was a fulfillment of an earlier commitment he made on July 30, 2021, when his outfit in collaboration with port authorities impounded the consignment.
During the inspection and confiscation of the containers of rosewood by the sector minister at the Tema Port on Friday, 30th July 2021, he disclosed the intent of government to donate all confiscated rosewood towards the construction of the National Cathedral.
He said the donation is proof of the transparency in the management of natural resources as promised by the President.
“We will go on to work to ensure that the cartel and syndicate behind the harvesting and exportation of these rosewoods are dealt with to help protect our environment”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor also hinted that the government is putting in place measures to ensure that Ghana does not become a criminal transit point for Rosewood trade and exportation.
On his part, Hon. John kumah, a Deputy Minister of Finance who represented his Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori Atta, expressed his profound gratitude to the Lands Minister and the Forestry Commission for such a gracious offer towards the construction of the edifice.
He said this means the Ministry will no longer have to cough up funds to purchase wood for the project and used the opportunity to appeal to Ghanaians to support in kind and cash towards the completion of the National Cathedral.
The representatives from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev. Prof. Dr. Paul Frimpong Manso and Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee also commended the Ministry for the donation.
Rev. Frimpong Manso, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, solicited support for the cathedral by reiterating that the National Cathedral is not for the President, neither is it for the government, but for Ghanaians.
Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee said, ” Rosewood is seen as one of the most expensive wood in the world and so it is good that we are going to use this kind of wood for the house of God”
She also called on Ghanaians to donate generously as the President has suggested a minimum of GHS 100 a month.
She said if this is really followed through, they would have more than enough funds to complete the Cathedral and would not have to go into the coffers of the country for any more funds.
The vision of the President for the National Cathedral is for the edifice to provide a historic opportunity, and to put God at the center of national nation’s affairs, and also serve as a symbol of eternal and continuous gratitude to Him, for the favours that He continues to shower and restore on Ghana.
Source: citinewsroom.com
