Bushfires devastate acres of farms in Atebubu-Amantin Municipality 

Bushfires have devastated several acres of farmlands in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality of the Bono East Region, severely affecting the socio-economic livelihoods of farmers. 

Mr Kwasi Lampo, Bono East Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said the fires occurred in early January and destroyed crops valued at about GH¢37,000. 

He said maize farms at Paprabom Kura, Atebubu-Muruchusu and Congo farming communities were the worst affected. 

During a visit to assess the extent of the destruction, Mr Lampo told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that bushfires were becoming increasingly alarming in the area and urged residents to be cautious in handling naked fires during the harmattan season. 

Accompanied by key NADMO personnel, he also inspected ongoing construction works on a mechanised borehole at Atebubu, being undertaken under NADMO’s climate change project to provide clean water for the community. 

Mr Lampo called for the intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to help prevent bushfires and protect lives and property. 

The Divisional Officer in Grade II (DOII), Mr Majors Nourinnom, Atebubu/Amantin Municipal Fire Officer, commended NADMO for the visit and assured the GNFS’s commitment to curbing fire outbreaks in the municipality. 

However, he expressed concern about growing assaults on fire personnel by some community members during fire incidents and called for an end to such attacks. He also noted that the lack of a fire tender was hampering the Service’s operations. 

As a major food basket in the region, the municipality continues to face serious challenges from recurring bushfires, which are leaving many farmers without livelihoods. 

Source: GNA 

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