The disturbing encroachment of the dam’s reserved forest by estate developers, illegal chainsaw operators and farmers, he said, must stop.
He was speaking at a durbar held to mark this year’s world Water Day celebration at Barekese in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District.
It was attended by chiefs, assembly and unit committee members and school children from communities across the district.
“Improved water access for sustainable livelihoods” was the theme chosen for this year’s event.
The company had earlier in the day organized a massive tree planting exercise in the dam’s catchment area. Over 1,200 teak seedlings were planted.
Mr. Awotwe spoke of the determination of the company to work closely with the security agencies to arrest and prosecute encroachers.
He said they were going to get tough with offenders, adding that, three people were already standing court trial for encroaching on the reserve.
Nana Simpe Asare, Nkosuohehene of Barekese, urged the company to put in place adequate security measures to ward off encroachers.
Miss Nina Antwi-Yeboah, Assistant Basin Officer of the Pra Basin, underlined the need for sustained public education to stop the degradation of the environment and pollution of water sources
Source: GNA
