The youth of Diabaa, last Wednesday set ablaze a military bay and a metal container providing shelter for staff of the Forestry Commission (FC)/Forestry Services Division (FSD), at a check point, as a result of misunderstanding between the youth and local FC/FSD staff. 

 Ms Owusu-Banahene made the condemnation when she was accompanied by officials of the FC/FSD, as well as the Dormaa Central and Dormaa West Chief Executives and their respective Police Commands Heads, to visit the crime scene. 

The visit was to enable the Regional Minister who is the Head of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to ascertain the extent of damage and the motive behind that criminal act.  

Speaking to journalists at a meeting at  Nkrankwanta, the capital of the district, Ms Owusu-Banahene announced that the REGSEC would conduct fact-finding investigation into the arson to apprehend the culprits for prosecution to ensure absolute calm in the Dormaa area. 

She said the Military Bay with installed solar panels and water access was constructed by the REGSEC in collaboration with Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. 

The Military Bay, designed to accommodate 30 soldiers, was to tighten security at the boarder communities for the protection of lives and property in the Dormaa enclave.

  Ms Owusu-Banahene urged the youth to desist from barbaric activities and rather be alive to their responsibilities, by contributing positively to national development. 

She stated negative conducts drew back development because “using petro and matches in such criminal manner don’t give solutions to socio-economic survival related issues”.

Dr Ebenezer Djagbletey, the Acting Director of Operations, FC, said “I disapprove the unfortunate incident on behalf of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. 

He said “Ghana is not a lawless state”, and the FC would ensure “the law takes its course for the perpetrators to be arrested and face prosecution.” 

 Dr Djagbletey noted the attitude of illegal chain-sawing, illegal-logging and lumbering had been on the ascendancy.

He said there was the need for deployment of security personnel to beef up security, to protect national property, such as the Mpamesu Forest Reserve, a national heritage in the area.