The Forestry Commission has cautioned all persons engaged in illegal logging to desist from such activities as its men are on the ground to apprehend offenders.
Last week, a Chinese national was arrested for attempting to transport three container load of Rosewood.
Speaking to Citi News, the Corporate Affairs and Media Relations Manager of the Commission, Joyce Ofori Kwafo, said her outfit will ensure full compliance with the band on the felling of Rosewood.
“We have put a lot of measure in place to ensure that the ban is adhered to. Our men are still on the grounds. Our forest guards, our wildlife resource guards are always around doing their routine check to make sure that nobody, goes into our protected areas to cut down the Rosewood. Anyone caught carrying Rosewood or sells any illegal wood would be arrested,” she said.
The Chinese woman, Helena Huang was intercepted by the police in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Police crime officer, Superintendent Otuo Acheampong, Helena Huang failed to produce her passport and other documents to show that she legally acquired the products.
“Our officers at one of our barriers in Tamale intercepted two trucks loaded with four containers of rosewood and informed the command. The exhibits were escorted to the police station and preliminary investigations indicated that one Chinese lady, Helena Huang claimed she is the owner of the rosewood and was escorting the product to Tema. Our initial investigation also established that she did not have enough measurement and conveyor certificate as well as a lumber inspection.”
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in March this year directed the Forestry Commission to ban the harvesting of Rosewood in the country.