About 600 Workers at Supremo Wood Processing Limited in Bediako, a Community near Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region are threatening a face-off with some illegal occupants of their wood concessions.
In a wild demonstration of intent at the company’s yard on Tuesday, the workers who were clad in red attire with red armbands to match expressed their readiness to battle it out with these encroachers to take back their lands and concessions.
Speaking to the media, Mr Francis Asare, General Manager of the Company recounted with pain the attempts by these illegal wood workers to deny them of entry into their own concessions.
“Last Saturday as some workers of this company were on their way to inspect woods in our concession in Bediako they were accosted by these illegal encroachers who were wielding sophisticated weapons including guns, machetes and some sticks but as rightful owners our men had to flee and return to our premises empty handed just to save their lives”, the General Manager recounted.
Forestry Commission:
He noted that in 2017, Supremo Wood Processing Limited rightfully acquired lands and concessions from the Forestry Commission to commence business at Bediako.
Currently, he noted that they have documentations to four compartments or concessions in the Bia Tano Forest Reserve, Mpameso Dormaa Forest Reserve and two others within the enclave.
These forest reserves, the General Manager indicated has served as feeder to Supremo Wood Processing Limited, which deals in furniture, plywood and others.
“When the issue came up we contacted the Forestry Commission to assist us to drive these unscrupulous and illegal occupants from our concessions but they declined by saying that they do not have men or military assigns to battle it out or keep off these armed persons from these concessions and that we should ask Police or Military for protection”, the General Manager stated.
Threats of Shutdown:
He noted that the Chief Executive Officer of the company has threatened to shut down the company if help does not come from government or the Forestry Commission.
He noted that having been threatened by the illegal occupants, the CEO feels he is unsafe to continue to work and provide support to the 600 workers he currently pays every month.
Appeal:
Mr Asare therefore pleaded with government especially the security agencies to come to the aid of the company so that they can stay in business.
“Any support or assistance that government could provide to ward off these encroachers would be appreciated”, the GM noted.
Workers:
Singing war songs and making deafening sounds, some of the workers who spoke to this reporter said their livelihoods were linked to the operations of the company.
They feared to lose their lives and that of their families when they are sent home by the owner of the company due to the ongoing debacle.
They therefore pleaded with government to come to their aid to ward off these illegal persons from their concessions.
“I am Margaret Addo and I can say that apart from the 600 workers who are here almost a thousand people also depend on us for their upkeep and survival and therefore we are begging government to come to our aid or we will be left to fight with our lives to drive these miscreants away from Supremo concessions”, the female worker tearfully stated.
