Environmental chiefs in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region of Ghana have called on various security services and agencies, including the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), to assist in combating bush fires, illegal mining, sand winning, and indiscriminate tree cutting.
This plea was made during a two-day training program organized by the Ghana Water Resource Commission, with funding from the Dutch Water Authority. The program aimed to equip environmental chiefs and lead farmers with knowledge about the intersection of agriculture, environmental management, and water resources. Topics covered included the impact of fire, forestry practices, and mining on the environment.
Naba Abubakari Yakubu, the chief responsible for the forest areas used for large-scale farming, emphasized the need for collaboration between chiefs and security agencies. He stated that such partnerships would enhance community respect for environmental leadership and demonstrate that the chiefs do not work in isolation.
He urged security personnel to respond promptly to calls for assistance, which would help deter individuals who might take the role of environmental chiefs lightly. Naba Yakubu highlighted that the training had provided valuable knowledge, particularly in using neem tree leaves and seeds to produce organic pesticides, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, he expressed a commitment to collaborate with divisional chiefs, youth, and local leaders to create fire volunteer groups in their communities. This initiative aims to prepare community members to combat bush fires in the upcoming season.
Naba Asamyuure Isaac, the environmental chief of the Adaboya community, noted that the training underscored the importance of tree preservation for windbreaks and carbon dioxide absorption. He lamented the rampant sand winning in Adaboya and pledged to organize community engagements involving the paramount chief, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale, to address illegal sand winning and mining. The training has raised awareness about the dangers these activities pose to the environment and local communities.
Since his installation, Naba Isaac has worked with community leaders to evict individuals engaged in illegal mining and other harmful practices in the Adaboya forest.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya