Ghana Initiative Moves To Address Land Degradation

Ms. Sherry Ayitey, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, yesterday prescribed a number of interventions to halt land degradation. The measures comprise water body siltation and stone binding to prevent rain water seepage and soil erosion. Ms. Ayitey suggested the need for the country to adopt traditional methods of land preservation such as land and crop rotation and shifting cultivation. The Minister was answering at the floor of Parliament, tabled by Mr. Augustine Collins Ntim, Member of Parliament for Offinso North who seeks to know about the measures government is taking to address desertification arising mainly from the constant bush fires in the Trans-savannah areas of Ghana. Ms. Ayitey said her sector ministry with financial support from Canadian International Development Agency will implement a five-year Ghana Environmental Management Project in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions to improve land management practices to conserve water and farm lands for food production. She said the 24 districts which fall within the Trans - savannah area will be supported financially to grow economic trees, venture into livestock production and livelihood support programmes. Ms. Ayitey said the ministry will reactivate the District Environmental Management Committees to facilitate education programmes at the district and community levels throughout the country. The Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation will also train Community Fire volunteers. She said the sensitisation programme will involve traditional rulers.