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Indiscriminate bush burning rampant in Northern Region
Military officer at the scene
Indiscriminate bush burning by young people in search for rodents is becoming very rampant and worrying especially during the harmattan season in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Most of these young people set grasses on fire in order to track the rodents to hunt them.
At the process, the fire escalates resulting in burning properties and goods in the area.
As shown in the photographs, these group were photographed on the Tamale airport road, burning grass in order to hunt for rodents.
It took the intervention of a military officer passing by to stop the group when the fire started escalating and out of control.
This has become one of the major challenges every year in Northern Region, despite authorities seem not finding lasting solution to it.
Annual bush burring does not only affect the environment and contributes to climate change but has adverse effect on human and animal health, social integration as well as the economic well-being of the people.
Most people have lost their properties, farmlands due to this back practice in the area during the dry season.
Speaking, the Northern Regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manager, to Mr. Abu Iddrisu said, his outfit have been doing community sensitizing on the effect of bush burning in on radio and sometimes television, but community members keep ignoring the warnings.
He said, culprit should be prosecuted when found violating the law, tis will serve as a deterrent for other.
He also said that, the Ghana fire service need to me resourced in order to go around the various communities within their jurisdiction to raise awareness.
We are doing a lot of bushfire management and training of farmers who can really champion the principles, he added.
From Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
