The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, says the failure of authorities to prosecute persons involved in the cultivation of rosewood has led to the continuous engagement in the illegality.

Citing the case of the Chinese National, Helena Huang, who was deported while standing trial, Dr. Apaak said the decision depicts the country’s lack of seriousness in prosecuting persons arrested.

In an interview with Citi News, the Builsa South MP said, in order to deter others, the government should prosecute persons.

“The ban is not effective. Those who are engaged in the act have no fear because no one ever gets punished. Why are the culprits not put before court?”

“I want to see the forest indeed protected and sanctions meted out to those caught in the act.”

Rosewood remains a restricted wood species under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The ban on rosewood harvesting in Ghana first came into force in 2014.

The ban was lifted in 2017, with the Minister in charge at that time, John Peter Amewu, giving over 20 companies permission to fell the trees.

But in March 2019, the trade was banned again, following alleged corruption and illegal trade of the resource.