Littoral communities lying along the Volta and Oti rivers have expressed their appreciation to the Ghana Maritime Authority for the decision to remove tree stumps from the fairways of the rivers, to enhance water transport and general socio-economic activities.

They made this known during two handing-over ceremonies to officially make the chiefs and people know they were within their rights to make use of the 21,000 huge tree stumps harvested by the Authority some months back.

Tree stumps have in the recent past become a menace, causing boat and canoe accidents, and loss of property and lives.

This led to distress calls to the government to find a way to curb the perils of water transportation on the rivers which is the only means through which indigenes within the communities move from one point to the other to trade, socialize and engage in daily activities.

When Ghana Maritime Authority picked up the gauntlet thrown by the situation, pessimism somehow was rife about their intentions as locals suspected ulterior motives. This was corroborated by Njare chief, Nana Kwaku Ntemeleso, who couldn’t hide his excitement at the progress made during a short mini-durbar.

“Since the day Ghana Maritime Authority oversaw the removal of the tree stumps, many are the reports we have received about the safety and serenity it has brought to transportation on the river,’’ he said. “Meanwhile when the Authority started expunging the trees, people thought the Authority was engaging in a hidden agenda like illegal gold extraction,” he stressed.

“Even those who complained that their daily activities that revolved around the river got disrupted are the very people who are now hailing the transformation it has brought to their activities.”

He also gave an idea of how commerce within his enclave has been boosted as a result of the removal of the stumps.

“During Dambai market days, my Njare people hitherto could not cross over to get to the market on time. By the time they got there, they would have missed the early brisk opportunities to sell their wares but now, boats from Njare get to Dambai as early as 5.30 am and they  are able to take advantage of the early-bird business.’’

“The distance has become shorter as we no longer run the risk of accidents. A big thank you to GMA and the government,’’ he exclaimed.

At Dambai, Daasebre Atamafowiesi Kwame Bonja II, paramount chief of Chonki, where the first durbar was organized was equally full of praise for the Authority.

‘’I want to use this opportunity to thank GMA. The tree stumps have really caused carnage, costing us lives and property for years. But now, from Tumpunja through Kudorkope and Njare to Dambai, we don’t hear of any tree stump-related accidents and deaths. You have saved us,’’ he remarked in appreciation.

Addressing both durbars at Njare and Dambai, a Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Technical at the Authority, Mr. Daniel Appianin said; “As an Authority we saw the need to remove the tree stumps as a call to duty; something we just couldn’t ignore.

“That said,’’ He stressed; “We don’t own the trees we got out of the rivers. They belong to communities that depend on rivers for their daily lives. It, therefore, falls in line to hand them over back to you,’’