The Upper East Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Sarah Bachon-Ene Mwinibuobu Bamie, has emphasized the need for responsible practices to protect water bodies in the region.
Speaking on the issue of old constructed reservoirs, also known as dams, being silted in the region on A1 Radio, she highlighted that reservoirs are often contaminated due to human activities. Mrs. Bamie advised communities to plant trees and grasses around reservoirs to hold soil in place and reduce waste entry.
“So usually, we advise that when those reservoirs are constructed, they plant trees around them, they plant certain grasses around them [reservoirs or dams],” she said.
The Regional Fisheries Director appealed to fishermen to properly dispose of torn nets and other waste rather than leaving them around water bodies. “We also have our fishermen contributing to it without knowing. So, we are also appealing to fishermen around water bodies that when they go and fish and have some of their nets torn or spoiled, they shouldn’t just leave them around the water bodies,” she said.
According to her, agrochemicals from farming activities also pose a risk to water contamination, stressing the need for conscious protection of these resources. “We should understand that when these water bodies are not protected, aside from desalination, there are other consequences,” Mrs. Bamie warned.
The Regional Director is urging all communities with dams to take steps to reduce waste and protect water bodies for sustainable use, noting that the consequences of reservoirs drying up and water bodies being contaminated are dire, especially for the aquaculture sector.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
