Bushfires destroy over 90 acres of cocoa farm in Dormaa – DCE

More than 90 acres of cocoa farms and 60 acres of other crop plantations in the Dormaa East District, have been lost to ravaging fires that swept through some areas of that District during the first quarter of this year.

Mr Frank Kumi, the District Chief Executive of Dormaa East District who disclosed this has asked the affected farmers to contact the District office of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to collect free cocoa seedlings to re-plant their farms.

The DCE who was addressing the Assembly’s second ordinary meeting at Wamfie in the Dormaa East District of the Brong Ahafo Region stressed the need to fight bushfires and asked traditional leaders and opinion leaders to champion fire-fighting campaigns during the dry season.

He said recalcitrant farmers who set indiscriminate bush fires should be sought and brought to book.

Mr Kumi stated that the Assembly in its revenue mobilization drive, has been able to collect GHC52, 346.99.00 from January to March 2016 representing 24 per cent of the year’s target of GHC 221, 200. 00.

Mr Kumih commended the revenue staff and all those who contributed in making this possible.

He further said the Assembly committed 70 per cent of its budget allocation into the educational sector offering financial support to a number of students to continue their education in nursing, secondary education, teacher training, universities and others.

The DCE added that it has also supplied 800 dual desks to the District to be given to various schools to help relieve parents from the burden of providing furniture to their wards to school.

He noted that the galamsey operation was assuming alarming proportions in some areas in the District in recent times notably in Dormaa Akwamu and Wamanafo, where the illegal miners have stepped up their operations with impunity.

He commended the Dormaahene for his singular effort to stop the galamsey activities in the Dormaa Area.

Mr Owusu Augustine, Presiding Member for the Dormaa East District Assembly, cautioned the Assembly members about lateness to Assembly meetings as it delayed proceedings.

He advised them to fully assist the Electoral Commission (EC) during the Limited Voter Registration exercise to help register first time voters who have just attained the qualified age of 18.

The Assembly members resolved that their sitting allowance should be increased from GH? 30.00 to GHC 100.00 or GHC 50.00 to enable them meet some urgent expenses.