CHIEFS SEEK SOLUTIONS TO BUSFIRES IN UPPER EAST
CHIEFS SEEK SOLUTIONS TO BUSFIRES IN UPPER EAST February 16, 2011 BY P. ATOGEWE WEDAM ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL The indiscriminate burning of bushes and forests generally termed bushfires, has become a threat to the sustainable use of natural resources in Ghana. The long-term negative impact of bushfires on people especially those in the three northern regions include loss of soil fertility, land degradation, loss of human lives and property among others. The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Hon. Sherry Ayittey made these observations in a keynote address at a day’s seminar held in Bolgatanga for chiefs and land owners to discuss and seek solutions to the menace of bushfires. The address was read on her behalf by Dr. Nicholas Iddi, a technical director at the ministry. Hon. Ayittey noted that apart from destroying soil structure and texture leading to soil infertility and erosion, bushfires also affect rainfall patterns and therefore food production. She reca...