Thursday, 13th February, 2025
Hon Matthew Nyindam
Kpandai
Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to make this Statement on the devastating bush fire incident in the Kpandai Constituency.
Today, I stand here with a deep sense of urgency and profound sorrow to bring to the attention of this honourable House, a devastating fire incident that has severely impacted five communities - Bladjai, Bola, Kabonwule, Kitare, Nkanchina and Nanjiro - within my esteemed Kpandai Constituency.
This tragic event has led to the widespread destruction of agricultural produce, particularly yam (both tubers and sets) and cereals, plunging numerous hardworking farmers into distress and posing a significant threat to livelihoods and food security in the region.
Mr Speaker, farming is not merely an occupation for the people of my Constituency; it is a way of life, a vital source of sustenance, and a cornerstone of our local economy. The devastating fire, which erupted occurred between 1st to 4th February, 2025, spread rapidly, consuming farms and barns. In a matter of hours, months of relentless effort, sacrifice, and investment were reduced to ashes.
In my capacity as the representative of the people, I contacted National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to expedite their investigations to establish the cause of the fire and bring to book, if it was deliberately orchestrated by any individual— However, preliminary reports indicate that the fire was largely caused by bushfires.
A thorough understanding of the underlying factors will be crucial in formulating and implementing decisive preventive measures.
Mr Speaker, as I address this honourable House, it is estimated that over 200 farmers have been severely affected by this devastating catastrophe.
Furthermore, preliminary assessments indicate that more than 30 barns containing over 198,900 yams (tubers and sets) and 100 bags of cereals have been completely destroyed. When translated into financial terms, this loss amounts to hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis, underscoring the extensive damage and economic hardship inflicted by this unfortunate bushfire.
Mr Speaker, the magnitude of this catastrophe cannot be overstated. It is not merely the loss of crops and food supplies that we mourn, but the destruction of livelihoods, aspirations, and financial stability for hundreds of families. Many of these farmers had secured loans to finance their cultivation, anticipating a harvest that would sustain them in the months ahead.
Now, they are burdened with crippling debts and no means of recovery.
Furthermore, the yam sets intended for the next planting season have been completely destroyed, jeopardising future agricultural cycles. Local markets, which depend on these farm produce for trade and sustenance, are already experiencing severe disruptions. If urgent and decisive action is not taken, the economic repercussions will escalate, deepening the hardship faced by my constituents and threatening the broader food security of our region.
Mr Speaker, it is also worth mentioning that the food shortage resulting from this disaster will extend beyond my constituency. Many regions rely on the yams produced in Kpandai, which is widely recognised for its yam production. This loss, coming in the wake of the adverse effects of last year's drought, will have a cascading impact across the supply food chain, potentially driving up the prices of yam and cereals and exacerbating economic hardship for a broader segment of the population.
Mr Speaker, this crisis demands immediate and decisive intervention. In light of the severe impact on lives, livelihoods, and food security, I make the following urgent appeals:
i. Emergency Relief and Humanitarian Aid: I call upon the Government, NADMO, our development partners and other humanitarian organisations to act swiftly in providing immediate relief to the affected farmers. This should include essential food supplies and financial assistance to support affected households in regaining stability.
ii. Establishment of an Agricultural Disaster Fund: I take this opportunity to appeal to the Government to establish an Agricultural Disaster Fund — a dedicated financial mechanism designed to provide timely and targeted support to farmers affected by natural disasters, such as the devastating fires that has impacted the five communities in the Kpandai Constituency. This fund would serve as a critical safety net, enabling affected farmers to recover, rebuild their livelihoods, and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production in disaster-prone areas.
iii. Enhanced Fire Prevention and Response Measures: This incident underscores the urgent need for strengthened fire prevention and response mechanisms in agricultural zones. I urge the Government to invest in early warning systems and enhance community education on fire safety and response strategies. Furthermore, agriculture and fire service agencies should engage farming communities regularly to provide guidance on fire prevention and management.
iv. Compensation and Insurance for Farmers: It is imperative that we establish a robust agricultural insurance scheme to protect farmers from unforeseen disasters of this nature. I urge the Government to develop a compensation framework that provides financial relief to affected farmers, thereby preventing economic collapse in agricultural communities when such disasters occur.
Mr Speaker, this heartbreaking incident is more than just a tragedy; it is a wake-up call for our nation. If we fail to take decisive action now, we risk subjecting thousands of citizens to prolonged hardship while further endangering our agricultural economy. We must confront this challenge with urgency and unwavering commitment, ensuring that our farmers — who dedicate their lives to feeding the nation — are not left without the support they desperately need.
As the elected representative of the people of Kpandai Constituency, I stand in unwavering solidarity with every farmer, every family, and every individual affected by this disaster. I assure them that I will continue to advocate for their cause until concrete solutions and meaningful relief are provided.
Mr Speaker, urgent action is needed to mitigate the effects of this disaster and ensure that affected farmers and their communities can recover and rebuild. I trust that this honourable House will give due consideration to these appeals and support measures that will safeguard the livelihoods of our hardworking farmers.
Let us, as leaders, policymakers, and a nation, unite to transform this moment of loss, into an opportunity for resilience and reform. The future of our farmers and our national food security depends on the actions we take today.
I thank you, Mr Speaker for this opportunity.
Hon Joseph Kwame Kumah
Kintampo North
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you Hon Matthew Nyindam for the Statement.
Mr Speaker, the reoccurrence of fire is perennial; year in and year on, we havebeen discussing these things without solutions. I remember my third week in the Eighth Parliament, when we used to sit at the pavilion, the Hon Member for Bole Bamboi made a Statement on the devastating nature of bushfires and their economic effect on our lives and farmers. The contribution that year was to engage the Fire Service, or agree on early burning as a nation, because no matter what we do, the bushfires would follow us.
Mr Speaker, I want to sympathise with the people of Kpandai. I know that for five communities to be razed down means a lot for the nation, as the maker of the Statement said. I know how hardworking they are; majority of the yams we see at the Konkomba market, Kintampo market and all over are from some of those places.
Mr Speaker, as a nation, if we do not take concrete steps to accept a particular policy and come together to accept early burning when the bushes are becoming yellowish—We do not wait till they become very dry so that the National Fire Service through the fire volunteer programme could monitor the burning gradually. As we speak, in Kintampo North, two houses and not less than five farms have been burnt. A family left their home for the Kintampo market at Kongo and by the time they returned—The fire started from far, got to their home and burnt everything down. The schoolchildren could not even get anything to change into. It is a perennial problem and should we continue to do Statements and sit down?
On my own what I have done is that annually, I use my Common Fund to buy a motorbike as part of the Farmer’s Day award to the Fire Service to use for fire volunteers. I think that we all can emulate this—But they cannot succeed if we do not make it a policy and do a national dialogue on the early burning because no matter what we do the bushes would be burnt. If we leave them, we would have left petrol in the system. Let a driver or a passer-by smoke —
Mr Speaker, I plead that you give direction to this proposal to do a national dialogue on early burning. I am grateful.
Hon Ernest Kumi
Akwatia
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. Let me also use this opportunity to sympathise with the people of Kpandai and also the maker of the Statement.
It is often said that fire is a bad master and a good servant. In the month of January up to now, we have experienced a lot of devastating fires across the country. We have experienced some in Kantamanto and we have seen other markets burning. What surprises me is that if not anything, we often know that in January, we experience the dry seasons and sometimes when we hear such Statements what comes to mind is what makes people go burning bushes in January, when we are experiencing the dry seasons.
But be it as it may, I would not like to belabour this House with the economic effect of such disasters. And I would use this opportunity to pray for this House and also ask the disaster management bodies in this country to go in assistance of these farmers. Having said that in public safety management, there are certain things that we have control over and there are other things that we do not necessarily have control over. So instead of frequently asking the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other disaster management committees to often come to the aid of such disaster victims, I would rather ask that NADMO and such institutions go into researchbased institutions, where they would know when and how these issues happen, and come to the rescue of the people.
As mentioned by previous speakers, these are perennial events which we keep experiencing. For instance, we have been experiencing perennial flooding in this nation and we have been seeing these disasters almost every year. It has even come to our attention that there was a year when a foreigner had to stake a lottery that he could bet that in that year, Accra was going to flood.
With that being said, the flood-prone areas are known to us. What prevents NADMO from researching and knowing that this year, these areas are going to be flooded and put in place preventive measures so that these perennial disasters do not happen? Because when they happen, we spend a lot of resources on putting things back where they are supposed to be.
In the same way, I would ask that NADMO and other disaster management bodies help educate people in such dry areas and also encourage them in such dry seasons, to not go into burning bushes or engage in activities that would lead to such fire rise.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and I pray that we go into the assistance of such victims.
Hon Shaibu Mahama
Daboya/Mankarigu
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by my good friend from Kpandai.
I think this Statement could not have been made at a better time. The dry or harmattan season is here with us again and it comes in its wake, with very devastating consequences. Indeed, it is a season that is natural and we ought to prepare for it. Every year, we come to lament over the effects of bushfires but, we still encounter this same problem.
Mr Speaker, growing up in the ‘80s, this country experienced a very devastating dry season that swept across the entire Savannah Woodland and left in its wake destruction of all farms. Indeed, there was a major drought and food shortage and the worst affected were secondary schools. I remember we scavenged and gleaned through nearby communities and farms just to get some corn to roast and chew as students. That is the effect of the harmattan and the dry season. We need to take a cue; we need to proffer solutions to it but that has to do with attitude. Attitude in the sense that farmers would normally set fire when they go to farm. Education to farmers is actually very critical. Indeed, the season is such that with the least touch, we have a widespread effect which cuts across the entire Northern Savannah Ecological Zone and that spans from Kintampo through to the Upper East and Upper West Regions.
Mr Speaker, we need to make pragmatic efforts in educating farmers and the youth. Cigarette smokers—I know the law is against it in public places, but at least people still have it. Anything that has to do with fire, preventing it is the best cure. For farmers who have lost their property, one can imagine a whole farming season, the farmer has put in a great deal of industry in coming out with his farm produce and one fine morning or evening, fire guts and takes everything off the farmer. It is a great Statement that he has made which should awaken our consciousness and we must make an effort to get civil society organisation, and other wellmeaning institutions to intensify education on bush fires. Indeed, when we prevent it, we would stop this perennial Statements that we make regarding bush fires.
Mr Speaker, let me thank the maker of the Statement one more time and pray and hope that we would come up with solutions to curb the menace. I thank you very much.
Hon Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh
Ahafo Ano North
Mr Speaker, I rise to comment on the Statement by Mr Nyindam, especially on insurance for farmers who are victims of such disasters. The African Risk Capacity, which is an initiative of African Union (AU) on insurance for farmers involved in disasters was established. Ghana was the first West African country to apply and also do all customisations and was given a certificate of good standing.
Mr Speaker, as I speak now, Ghana has paid a premium of US$1 million, and last year when there was a drought in the five northern regions, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance applied for some benefit for the farmers. So, I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of the Interior to follow it up so that they can get some benefits for farmers who are involved in such disasters.
Thank you very much.
Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah
Takoradi
Mr Speaker, we all thank the maker of the Statement for such a brilliant piece.
First and foremost, we would like to tell him to send to his constituents that Ghana would definitely stand behind them for them to be able to recover. My biggest challenge is that every time we come to this Chamber about bush fires and flood, it seems it has become an annual ritual without any solutions to them.
In 1983 when the fires came, my grandmother’s farm in Anwia Nkwanta completely got destroyed so the hardships were everywhere. I know that my former boss Mr Kofi Adda’s rice farm got burnt. Recently, just after the elections, the rice farm of the Minister for Savannah also got burnt. So, it shows that there is something amiss about these fires that keep coming to our doorsteps.
But unfortunately, when we sometimes advise Ghanaians, they get offended. Now that the fires are coming, we are all talking about insurances, government support and the rest but we also know that there are certain basic things that farmers can also do as buffers to make sure that the fires do not spread from one farm to the other. They would not do it and then it becomes a problem. And when people advise them, they become the target. How many times can we as a country continue to throw our money into the dustbin through bush fires or floods?
I remember one day, there was flood in my area and I had advised those who were staying in flood-prone areas to always have a second plan. It became a major national topic. So, I believe that these things cannot continue to be an annual ritual that we would come to this House to only complain. We should prevent them in the first place and I believe that the education of our farmers is key.
The socialisation of our farmers is also key. If we do not continue to make prevention a part of our attitude, this country would continue to wallow in poverty, especially in these areas because we all know that farming communities are one of the povertystricken areas in our country. This is because, first and foremost, the farm business itself is not generating the incomes we expect it to generate for them and if fires become another set of problems that is going to devastate or squander their produce, then naturally, we cannot eradicate poverty in our midst.
So, I believe that, like all the speakers have said, prevention is key and our farmers as part of their practices, should ensure that they put in the measures to prevent the fires from coming in the first place, and two, from spreading. As for the Ghana National Fire Service, I tell you, if they are big farms, it is going to be difficult to quench it and now that we are in the dry season, God be our help but prevention is always better than cure.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice to the matter.
Hon Peter Lanchene Toobu
Wa West
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity and let me thank the Leadership for yielding to me to make some remarks about this good Statement that was delivered by my Brother from Kpandai.
Mr Speaker, 1983 is still fresh in our minds. Forty-two years ago, the devastation that we suffered as a country, many farmers are yet to recover. I can say that if one goes to a place like the Afram Plains, the effect of the bush fires in 1983 has left an indelible mark to the point that cocoa farms that were destroyed at the time have never been able to be reconstructed again.
A decade later, in 1992, the Fourth Republic started. Thirty-two years down the line, we are still in the Chamber lamenting about the effect of bush fires. But we all know that there are best practices around the world and I can talk about a few of them within Ghana. If one goes to the Mole National Park, there is something we call, “control burning”. My Brother from Kintampo North talked about early burning. We call it “control burning” and it is normally done around November. When the grasses are not too dry, they are not too combustible but if one waits until January to February where the grasses are so dry and so combustible, when one finds fire burning, the capacity of any group of people or the capacity of any national institution like the Ghana National Fire Service to fight that fire becomes limited.
Mr Speaker, we all know climate change is a reality. The drought in 2024 tells us that going forward, we need to upgrade our game in understanding the impact of climate change vis-à-vis the fact that dry seasons will come early and the country would be drier than before. So, when we find bushfires destroying farms, it tells us that for over 42 years, we are either not learning or we know what to do, but are not willing to do it. and yet, we are repeatedly complaining about the impact of bushfires.
Mr Speaker, I know this is just a Statement which talks about the people of Kpandai, but in many parts of this country, particularly in northern Ghana, bushfires are destroying farms and properties. All we have to do as a country is to come together and talk about the national resilience in fighting disasters. It is not just bushfires; there are several disasters that befall this country and exposes our weakness.
Mr Speaker, the very good recommendations made by my Brother from Kpandai should be looked at. Let us come together as a country to bring in experts for us to craft a strategy to ensure that in 2026, when there are bushfires again, Ghana would be prepared as a country to meet the challenge and save our farmers, properties, and ourselves from national disgrace.
Mr Speaker, with these few words, I am so grateful and I thank the maker of the Statement.
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