Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has directed the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission and the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission to join forces to address the ever increasing spate of encroachment on catchment areas of the Owabi and Barekese Dams.
The Dams serve as the main water source for Kumasi and its environs.
The Minister noted that some of the encroachers have resorted to using poisonous chemicals in farming along the water bodies.
They also dump refuse and other plastic materials, win sand and cut down trees resulting in high level of pollution of the two dams.
Mr. Jinapor gave the directive at the inauguration of the reconstituted Ashanti Regional Lands Commission in Kumasi.
GBC’s Thomas Nsowah-Adjei reports that membership include representatives of the Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies and professional bodies.
