The Paramount Chief of Kologo, Naba Clifford Tandegrewangrekugre Asobayire V, has called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who engage in indiscriminate bush burning, warning that the practice threatens wildlife, forests, water resources and livelihoods in the Upper East Region.
He expressed concern that the approaching dry season could increase the risk of bushfires as vegetation dries up, and urged traditional authorities and community members to intensify surveillance and report offenders to the appropriate authorities.
The chief made the call during the inauguration of the BULKONA Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) at the Upper Solar Guesthouse in Navrongo.
The initiative, established with support from the World Bank-funded Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project, brings together 19 communities across the Builsa, Kologo, Naaga and Navrongo traditional areas to promote sustainable natural resource management.
Naba Asobayire V urged fellow traditional leaders to support the CREMA executives, particularly its young members, in identifying individuals whose activities threatened the environment.
He said indiscriminate bush burning contributed to environmental degradation, destroyed wildlife habitats and undermined efforts to protect natural resources.
The chief stressed that community education alone would not be sufficient to address the problem without enforcement of existing environmental laws.
He therefore called for closer collaboration among traditional authorities, the Wildlife Division, other environmental agencies and residents to prevent bushfires and ensure that offenders faced legal consequences.
Turning to illegal mining, Naba Asobayire V urged communities within the four traditional areas to remain vigilant and prevent environmentally destructive mining activities from taking root.
He warned that illegal mining could threaten farmlands, forests and water bodies, with consequences for the livelihoods and well-being of residents.
The Paramount Chief also raised concerns about the apparent decline in wildlife populations in the area.
According to him, animals such as deer, hyenas and wild rabbits, which were once common, had become increasingly difficult to find, while sightings of elephants were now rare.
Although he could not establish the precise causes of the decline, he suggested that hunting, habitat destruction and other environmental pressures could be contributing factors.
He appealed to the Wildlife Division and other relevant institutions to investigate the situation and introduce measures to protect remaining wildlife populations.
Naba Asobayire V said the disappearance of wildlife was also depriving younger generations of opportunities to learn about animals in their natural habitats.
He observed that some children were becoming familiar with certain wild animals only through textbooks and social media because they rarely encountered them in their communities.
Using wild rabbits as an example, he expressed concern that some children might struggle to distinguish them from domesticated rabbits because of their limited exposure to wildlife.
The chief called for stronger efforts to protect forests, water bodies, fish populations and other natural resources, warning that their destruction could ultimately threaten human survival.
“If they are all endangered, then we are equally more endangered,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the Paramount Chief of Navrongo, the Navropio, has pledged his support for the BULKONA CREMA initiative and called for stronger cooperation among the participating traditional areas.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Felix Kondayire, the Navropio described the inauguration as an opportunity for traditional leaders to renew their commitment to protecting ancestral lands and natural resources.
He said chiefs and elders had a responsibility to preserve the land, forests, wildlife and water bodies entrusted to them for the benefit of future generations.
The Navropio commended the Wildlife Division and other stakeholders for their contributions to the establishment of the CREMA, noting that the initiative provided a platform for communities and traditional authorities to participate directly in conservation.
He emphasised that its success would depend on the willingness of traditional leaders and residents to work together and take responsibility for protecting their environment.
“The true measure of traditional leadership lies not only in the heritage we inherit, but also in the legacy we preserve for posterity,” he stated.
He therefore urged the people of Builsa, Kologo, Naaga and Navrongo to embrace the initiative and work collectively to protect their natural resources.
The BULKONA CREMA is expected to strengthen community participation in conservation activities, including efforts to prevent bushfires, address illegal mining and protect wildlife across the 19 participating communities.
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