Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has assured farmers and all other stakeholders in agriculture across the country that the government is so committed to ensuring that farmlands are protected against environmental destruction and crop losses caused by illegal activities.
At an agricultural forum in Accra recently, Dr. Bawumia said that agriculture was very important in Ghana's economy and food security. He underlined that farmlands are not only sources of income for millions of Ghanaians but also basic to the general prosperity of the nation. The Vice President, in this regard, reassured that the government continues to commit itself to heightening surveillance and applying the law on such activities as illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, deforestation, and land conversions in the rapid urbanization process.
Government is fully aware of the threats imposed by activities such as illegal mining, which mostly results in the destruction of arable land, and we are determined to take decisive action," Bawumia said. He asked farmers to report any unlawful activities in their regions, ensuring them that there would be swift interventions by the necessary authorities.
Bawumia added that, in order to give meaning to land protection, the government was ensuring investment in modern technology and practices for efficient land management, including satellite surveillance to monitor illegal land activities and an expanded national database tracking land ownership and usage patterns.
The minister also reiterated the commitment of the government towards sustainable farming practices that have minimal impact on the environment. "We must adopt mechanisms that will not only increase production in the short run but also conserve our natural resources for generations to come," he added.
These comments by the Vice President come amidst growing concerns about the loss of arable land through illegal mining and rapid urbanization. With agriculture still a backbone of the Ghanaian economy, such an assurance was meant to allay the fears of farmers that their lands and livelihood would be preserved.
He, therefore, called for a collaborative effort from every sector of the community to ensure that Ghana's farmlands are protected, with government reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that there is sustainable development that protects the environment and future generations.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0