Asunafo North Woodworkers Of Bediako Near Mim Protest Against Activities Of Illegal Chainsaw Operators

Woodworkers of Bediako, near Mim in the Asunafo North District of the Ahafo Region are protesting against the invasion of illegal chainsaw operators in the area as their activities persist to threaten their(woodworkers) source of livelihoods.

Apart from farming and petty trading activities, the majority of them, mostly the youth, are engaged in woodworks at timber processing firms operating in the area.

However, the activities of illegal chainsaw operators, who are also into timber harvesting, persist to threaten their source of livelihoods.

One of the timber processing companies at Bediako, Supremo Wood Processing Ltd, which has employed close to one thousand town folks, risks shutting down as a result of the activities of illegal chainsaw operators.

The organization is struggling to get raw materials from their legally acquired concession in the BiaTano Forest Reserve.

Mr. Francis Asare, General Manager for Supremo Wood Processing Ltd, bemoaned of persistent attacks by the illegal chainsaw operators on their workers, preventing them from accessing their concession for raw materials.

According to him, perpetrators are usually armed and ready to attack their workers at the least altercation.

Addressing the press at a protest held in the area, he said they've become helpless as their countless appeals to security agencies, Forestry Commission officials, and other authorities have yielded no results.

During the protest, the agitated woodworkers were holding placards, accusing some individuals in the area as the kingpins behind the illegalities. Some of the placards had inscriptions that read ‘’Malik and Dickson are a threat to the Community, Supremo is under threat, Forestry Commission wake up, we need our jobs, we need military support,’’ among others.

Mr. Francis said unemployment has reduced significantly in the area due to their presence and feared that the collapse of the organization would lead to job losses and an increase in social vices.

"We are contemplating shutting down the organization, which commenced operations in 2017. About one thousand employees would be affected by this decision, which will also go a long way to affect their dependents if nothing is done about the situation," he warned.

They are urging authorities to intervene and save the organization from folding up.