Bush fires destroy cocoa farms in Dormaa East

Mr Frank Kumih, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Dormaa East, has said bushfires destroyed over 90 acres of cocoa farms in the district during the first quarter of this year.

Besides, 60 acres of other crop plantations were destroyed within the period, Mr Kumih said during the second ordinary meeting of the assembly’s first session at Wamfie in the Dormaa East District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He appealed to traditional and opinion leaders in the district to support the campaign against bushfires, especially during the dry season, and ensure that offenders were arrested and sanctioned.

Mr Kumih asked the farmers whose farms had been burnt to contact the District Office of the Seed Production Division of Ghana Cocoa Board for the supply of cocoa seedlings free of charge to replant.

On illegal mining activities (galamsey), the DCE said the menace was assuming alarming proportions in some areas of the district and cited Dormaa-Akwamu and Wamanafo where the illegal miners had stepped up their operations with impunity.

Mr Kumih, therefore, commended the Dormaa Traditional Council for the ban it had placed on galamsey in the traditional area.

Mr Augustine Owusu, the Presiding Member, cautioned the assembly members about lateness to meetings as it delayed decision-making which consequently retarded the general progress of the assembly.