More than 500 farmers across 24 districts in Ghana have lost their livelihoods after a series of wildfires swept through cashew, soybean, maize, and yam farms. According to the affected farmers, many had taken out loans to invest in their farming operations and now face the devastating reality of not being able to repay these loans. They are calling on the government for urgent support.

Theo ước tính sơ bộ thì vụ cháy đã Thiêu Rụi 5.000 Mẫu Cây Điều Tại Ghana

Preliminary Estimate: 5,000 Acres of Cashew Farms Destroyed in Ghana Wildfires

Initial estimates suggest that about 5,000 acres of farmland were destroyed in the fires, with cashew plantations accounting for the majority of the damage.

Nguyên nhân của vụ cháy được xác định là do các hoạt động của những người thợ săn địa phương, những người đốt than, cũng như làn sóng du mục trong khu vực.

The districts of Banda-Kabrono, Nyire, and Gbao are among the most severely affected farming communities. Farmers in these areas are urgently requesting government assistance in the form of seedlings, fertilizers, herbicides, and other essential farming inputs to help them replant their farms.

According to local farmers, the wildfires were triggered by unregulated and unethical activities of local hunters, charcoal burners, and nomadic Fulani herders. These practices have repeatedly contributed to the persistent and destructive fires in the region, leaving entire farms and livelihoods in ashes.

Farmers Unable to Repay Loans

Speaking at a press conference in Banda-Kabrono, Ms. Helena Awurusa, Ghana’s Best Female Farmer of 2021 and spokesperson for the affected farmers, revealed that she personally lost 17.5 hectares of cashew and palm farms. She explained that most farmers had used their farms and other assets as collateral to secure loans for expanding cashew and other crop operations. As a result, the wildfire has rendered them unable to repay their debts to local banks.

Bà Helena Awurusa đang phát biểu - Phía sau lưng là quan cảnh 17,5 Mẫu vườn cây điều của bà đã bị lửa thiêu rụi hoàn toàn.

Mr. Francis Ofori, a farmer in Nyire, said he lost about 48 acres of cashew trees, stating, “All our investments have vanished. We are left with nothing. Many of us will struggle to repay our loans unless the government steps in to support us.”

Severe Food Shortages Expected in Burned Areas

Ms. Awurusa warned of an impending food shortage crisis due to the extensive destruction of farmland. She called for urgent food aid to be provided to affected farming communities. She also urged the Banda District Council to strengthen anti-bushfire laws to prevent the recurring wildfires, which have become almost a yearly ritual.

Người dân kêu gọi Chính phủ Ghana phải tích cực hồi sinh & tái bố trí các tình nguyện viên chống cháy rừng nhằm kiểm soát đám cháy và ngăn chăn chúng trong tương lai

She further explained that the lack of logistical support and government funding has stalled firefighting operations and community fire volunteer activities. As a result, this year’s fires were able to spread uncontrollably.

She appealed to the District Fire Command to revive and redeploy community fire volunteers to control remaining blazes and prevent future disasters.

Kimmy Farm VN

Chúng tôi là một thương hiệu chuyên sản xuất, thương mai và xuất khẩu các mặt hàng nông sản của Việt Nam. Chúng tôi có vùng trồng điều & nhà máy điều ở Bình Phước, trại nuôi ruồi lính đen ở Tây Ninh. Các mặt hàng xuất khẩu chính của Công ty là: hạt điều, hạt điều nhân, ruồi lính đen,… từ Việt Nam.