The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Lawyer Salisu Be-Awuribe, has issued a firm directive to all District Assemblies in the region to incorporate punitive measures against commercial charcoal production into their bylaws before the end of 2026.
He made the call on Friday, June 5, during the ceremonial tree planting to mark the 2026 edition of the government’s Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, held at the forecourt of the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council under the theme “Forests and Economies.”
Addressing traditional authorities, assembly members, security agencies, heads of institutions, and invited guests, the minister expressed deep concern over the widespread felling of trees for charcoal in Savannah region, a practice he described as a major threat to the region’s forests and land.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the traditional authorities and all District Assemblies in Savannah for us to team up and stop the unwanted cutting down of our trees, not for any other purpose, but for charcoal,” he said.
Hon. Be-Awuribe acknowledged that previous administrations had made efforts to curb the practice but noted those efforts lacked the force of legislation. He stressed that by close of the year, every district assembly must have enforceable bylaws with clear sanctions against the commercial cutting of trees for charcoal.
The minister also directed his remarks at chiefs and landowners, cautioning them against granting access to chainsaw operators who harvest trees that have stood in the wild for decades, even centuries, solely for charcoal production. “This is destroying our lands,” he warned.
He further appealed to residents to stop wanton bush burning, describing it as equally destructive to the region’s fauna and flora.
On a positive note, the minister expressed satisfaction with the region’s performance under last year’s initiative, saying the Savannah Region was “doing very well” based on official reports from the Regional Forestry Commission, while acknowledging room for further improvement.
He also reiterated a call he made last year for the planting of trees with economic and commercial value including mango, cashew, mahogany, and sheanut arguing that communities are more likely to protect trees from which they derive direct benefit.
The minister urged the public to report anyone found cutting down trees to the Forestry Commission or the police.
The ceremony was attended by a representative of His Majesty Yagbonwura, the Savannah Regional Forestry Manager, chiefs, security personnel, clergy, and directors of various institutions.
