People living around forest fringe communities, have been encouraged to be more alert and help to bring to justice those ruining the forests through illegal timber cutting.
Mr Obed Owusu Addai, a tropical Forest Researcher, said people should share in the responsibility of ensuring efficient and sustainable management of the nation's forest resources, adding that that was in their own
interest.
He indicated that the destruction of the forest would have devastating impact on their lives, a fact they should not underestimate.
He was addressing a forum that brought together chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District to discuss the Governance Initiative for Rights and Accountability in forest management (GIRAF) at Nkawie.
He said it was important for all to accept to do their bit to protect the forest and its resources not just for the benefit of the present
generation but posterity.
Mr Addai said people in communities in and around forest areas were expected to identify their own development needs to be addressed in the
Timber Utilization Contract (TUC).
He said the voluntary partnership agreement Ghana had signed with the European Union, enjoins the country to do more to combat illegal logging to enable the forest to be managed on sustainable basis.
Nana Asare Bediako, the District Chief Executive (DCE), urged timber contractors to avoid operating illegally.