Farmers in Kamba in the Lambussie District say although they continue to increase their crop production, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get better yields. The farmers have attributed this to significant changes in rainfall patterns, continuous bush burning and deforestation as well as bad environmental practices that cause depletion of soil nutrients.
A farmer, Julius Bunkur said for farmers to be able to get returns on their investments, there must be conscious efforts toward sustainable land and water usage. This, he says, would help the soil retain its fertility and increase their yields.
Mr Bunkur said as a farmer, he has lost several acres of produce to bush fires over the years. The most recent include three acres of maize and one acre of groundnut. He encouraged traditional authorities to continue to support efforts towards environmental conservation. Mr Bunkur said in his community, the chief has imposed by-laws to punish persons found setting fires to bush. He said the by-laws have helped reduce bushfires.
To help address changes in rainfall patterns and encourage environmental conservation, government through the Forestry Services Department (FSD) in 2018 engaged some personnel under the Youth in Afforestation Program.
The program was to promote the growth of trees across the country while also protecting already existing forest reserves from exploitation.
In the Upper West Region, the Kamba Tributaries Forest Reserve is one of the biggest reserves under the protection of the FSD. The Forest is surrounded by a 25.7 kilometer perimeter. Over 30 personnel have been contracted to work on the Kamba Tributaries Forest Reserve. The personnel include farmers who have been allowed to farm and restock the degraded sections of the reserve as well as under patrols to prevent illegal activities in the Reserve.
Since 2018, more than 100 hectares of Eucalyptus and Teak tree species have been planted in the reserve. The Forestry Services Division has also planted about 20 hectares of Rosewood tree species.
According to the Lawra Forest District Manager, Francis Brobbey,”despite the efforts to replant selected areas in the Upper West Region, bushfires continue to threaten the efforts of government and the FSD.” “We are in the Lawra Transitional Zone, fire is always an issue. People always want to burn so we have to invest more money in the prevention of fires. We have to construct ‘fire-rides’ [fire-belts] early. Within this area, from November 10, the fires start so we have to do a lot in fire-ride construction as well as patrolling,” he said.
The Lawra Forest District Manager mentioned that a total of 334 hectares of tree species were planted across the region last year. This included 204 hectares planted in the Forest Reserves in the Region along with 130 hectares planted ‘off reserve’. Mr. Brobbery said it is extremely difficult for the FSD to protect the trees planted ‘off reserve’, adding that the situation led to the loss of about 16 hectares of teak at an ‘off reserve’ site near Babile in the Lawra Municipality.
He said it is unfortunate that despite the continuous education, bush burning still persists. Mr Brobbery said another challenge facing the FSD is the negative attitude of some of the personnel engaged under the programme.
Touching on the cultivation of Rosewood trees, Mr Brobbery mentioned that due to the highly commercial nature of the Resewood tree, the FSD has decided to lead the way and encourage interested farmers to also invest in the production of Rosewood. He said although the gestation period of Rosewood is long, between 10 and 15 years, it is a good investment.
The Chief Ranger at the Kamba Tributaries Forest Reserve, James Agyei, encouraged residents to work toward ending bushfires in the Upper West Region. He said if more Forest Reserves are protected, newer tree species and herbs would grow. He said the thick forests would also help to increase population of animals which will also serve as an alternative source of nutrition and livelihood to residents close to the Reserves. He said it was unfortunate that the FSD lost 16 hectares of Teak in the Lawra Municipality.
Some youth contracted under the Youth in Afforestation program who spoke to the GBC called on government to settle all their arrears to enable them function effectively.
The MCE for Lawra, Martin Bomba-ire, said it was unfortunate that bushfires continue to persist in the Upper West Region. Mr Bomba-ire opined that when bushfires are reduced to the barest minimum, it would help in bridging the economic and development gap between Northern and Southern Ghana. This is because the straws from the bushes and forests can be harvested for the manufacturing of thatch for roofs and as well as baskets, chairs and other household materials. The MCE added that the forests if protected would help address the changes on the weather and allow for more rains.
When contacted, the Regional Director for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ahmed Mustapha, said to help address the issue of bushfires and other disasters in the area, a Municipal Disaster Management Committee has been put in place.
The 16-member committee headed by the MCE for the Lawra Municipality is expected to meet and draw up strategies to help end disasters, particularly bushfires to help minimise the losses of farmers during harmattan.
Story filed by Mark Smith.
