Upper West: Paramount Chief Bans Three Social Challenges in Jirapa

The Paramount Chief of Jirapa Traditional Area Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III has placed a Ban on three social cankers bothering the Environment and the Vegetarian Cover of his traditional Area.

These include premature harvesting of all commercial fruits, including dawadawa and other economic fruits, until the official lifting of the ban during the Bong-ngo Festival, A strict prohibition on the indiscriminate cutting down of commercial and economic trees for charcoal production or any other purpose and Uncontrolled, excessive, or overstretched bush burning that threatens farms, grazing lands, or forest resources is strictly forbidden.

This was Captured in a Letter Released by the Jirapa Traditional Council. The Ban applies to the following individuals:
Chiefs, Tendaama, Farm owners, Widows and widowers, Orphans, Cattle owners, Cattle herders, Residents and non-residents, etc.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BAN ON PREMATURE HARVESTING OF COMMERCIAL FRUITS, TREE FELLING FOR CHARCOAL, AND UNCONTROLLED BUSH BURNING

The Jirapa Traditional Council, under the authority of Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, hereby informs the general public, residents, and all persons living in and around Jirapa and its environs that the following directives take immediate effect:

A total ban on the premature harvesting of all commercial fruits, including dawadawa and other economic fruits, until the official lifting of the ban during the Bong-ngo Festival.
A strict prohibition on the indiscriminate cutting down of commercial and economic trees for charcoal production or any other purpose.

Commercial trees must not be felled completely.

Only proper pruning aimed at improving yield and sustainability is permitted.

Bush burning must be controlled and limited.

Uncontrolled, excessive, or overstretched bush burning that threatens farms, grazing lands, or forest resources is strictly forbidden.

These directives apply to all persons without exception, including:

Chiefs

Tendaama

Farm owners

Widows and widowers

Orphans

Cattle owners

Cattle herders

Residents and non-residents, etc.

Any person found violating any aspect of these directives shall be severely sanctioned in accordance with customary laws and the authority of the Traditional Council.

These measures are aimed at protecting our cultural values, preserving the environment, preventing resource abuse, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for present and future generations.

The Traditional Council calls on the full cooperation of the public and urges community members to report offenders to the nearest recognized traditional authority.

Signed:

Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III

Paramount Chief

Jirapa Traditional Area and President of the Jirapa Traditional Council.