Chainsaw operators invade royal cemetery

Members of the Boansi Royal family, near Antoa in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region have appealed to the authorities to help them save the century old royal cemetery from encroachment and destruction.

The royal cemetery, which have been preserved over the years, have been invaded by people who are felling the trees for charcoal and wood fuel.

According to the family, the rate at which the destruction was taking place, if not checked could create trouble for the royal family and the entire town.

Speaking to The Mirror, Mr Prince Kwame Owusu, a spokesperson for the family said aside the felling of trees, “these people have also dug out some of the graves and looted them.

“We need to preserve this sacred grove from destruction and pillage by these unscrupulous people and we will need the support of the district assembly, the government and all stakeholders to help us save this sacred forest,” he said.

He said the forest currently housed the tomb of the first chief of Boansi. However, he said the grave had been looted and “no one knows what has become of the coffin and its contents.”

A visit to the forest revealed that some of the trees have been felled with some being burnt into charcoal.
Illegal chainsaw operators and charcoal burners have invaded the forest and are illegally felling the trees for lumber and charcoal.