Revive existing sanitation by-laws to protect the environment- traditional leaders urged 

The Bono Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana, Kwame Afram Denkyira, has called on traditional leaders to revive and strengthen the existing environmental by-laws to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

He also encouraged them to be firmed and strict in dealing with offenders of the sanitation by-laws to protect the environment and prevent river bodies from drying up.

He said he had observed that some chiefs had relaxed in the enforcement of the existing environmental by-laws, leading to several environmental destruction across the country.

Mr Denkyira was speaking at a workshop organised for Queen mothers on agroecology and climate change in the transition zone at Abesim near Sunyani.

"We are just urging the chiefs to continue to strengthen the existing environmental by-laws in their communities, be firmed and strict in dealing with offenders of the by-laws to deter others from causing distractions to the environment," he said.

Mr Denkyira said the enforcement of the by-laws and being strict on perpetrators would help protect the natural resources.

Climate crisis 

It was organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD) in collaboration with ActionAid to engage queen mothers on issues of climate crisis.

The workshop, which brought together 40 selected Queen mothers from the Bono and Ahafo regions was to solicit their support in addressing the climate crisis.

Additionally, it was aimed at strengthening their capacities to play more meaningful roles in addressing the negative impacts of climate change. 

The participants shared their experiences on climate change, brainstorm ways to halt illegal activities on the environment and formulated action plan to be rolled out in their communities to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Enforcement 

Mr Denkyira urged the traditional authorities not to relax in the enforcement of the existing environmental by-laws to ensure environmental sanity. 

He said traditional authorities occupied a unique position in the management of natural resources, through traditional institutions in the various traditional areas.

"These notwithstanding, traditional authorities continue to contribute positively to natural resources management through the enforcement of traditional customary laws and regulations that ensure the sustainable management and use of natural resources," he said.

Mr Denkyira said Queen mothers were key stakeholders who could contribute to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

He said it was human activities that caused climate change, explaining that engaging the queen mothers, who were the custodians of the land would help halt environmental illegalities.

He said CIKOD and ActionAid would monitor and support the implementation of the proposed action plans formulated by the queen mothers.

Consuming chemicals 

For his part, the Deputy Executive Director of CIKOD, Wilberforce Laate, bemoaned the high use of chemicals and fertilizers in the production of food crops, particularly vegetables.

He said more chemicals were used to produce vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes and garden eggs, explaining that consuming such contaminated food posed a serious health implications.

"We are injecting a lot of chemicals into our body system through eating," he stated, adding that most of the chemicals used for farming also had a negative impact on the environment.

Mr Laate called on the government to prioritise increasing investment in agroecology to transform the agri-food system, build resilience and enable smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change.

He said agroecology would help to maintain soil fertility and help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change thus enhancing biodiversity.

Mr Laate explained that agroecology was less expensive, since farmers would not be depending on imported chemicals and fertilizers.

"When the farmer is not spending money on fertilizers and other chemicals to protect his crops, it reduces his spending.

"Manures are useful, so we think that there should be increased government spending in promoting non-chemical farming and the use of indigenous seeds," he said.

Healthy diet 

Mr Laate encouraged farmers to use composite and animal droppings in replacement of imported chemicals and fertilizers to promote heathy diet and environment.

He said CIKOD and its partners over the years had been engaging policy makers and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to understand the need to promote agroecology.

Mr Laate said it was their target to promote agroecology and advocate food sovereignty as well as promoting more effective multi-functional approach to agricultural development.

He said the approach sought to reverse the negative effects on the environment, restores vegetative and tree cover.  

Mr Laate expressed the need for farmers to adopt the use of indigenous or local seeds, explaining that local seeds could stand against the climate change.

While endorsing calls on the government to ban the importation of some chemicals, he urged the government to inject more resources in the production and promotion of organic manure before imposing a ban.

"If the government bans the use of chemical substances now without ensuring that the alternatives are available, there will be food crisis in the country," he said.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh