SIAKON MEDIA

Bolgatanga, June 19, (Akapule) GNA- Professor David Millar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), at the weekend stressed the need for Government and Institutions working in the area of climate change to add grass growing to their strategies.

He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency after making a presentation on the topic "Cultural Practices and Indigenous Knowledge in Desertification and Drought Control in Northern Ghana - Case Study of Traditional Authorities and Community Members" at a National desertification forum held in Bolgatanga.

The Professor explained that grass had the potential to harvest carbon better than trees, and said Government and institutions working in the area of climate change  should not only focus on tree planting but also encourage grass growing.

He indicated that grass was one of the best methods used for erosion control and management, stressing that grass could  be planted along areas threatened by erosion to prevent it from occurring or from worsening.

He noted that grass when cultivated well could be transformed used for charcoal production through technology and this could reduce the practice where trees are cut for charcoal burning.

"It is the best solution that could be used to prevent people from cutting down trees indiscriminately", he said, adding that through technology grass can be used as a source of fuel.

Professor Millar noted that grasses were also used for roofing, weaving and as a source of animal feed in many communities in the country, especially in the three Northern Regions, and that serious attention should, therefore, be given to its cultivation.

He called for grass growing to be given attention just like tree planting and suggested that the three Northern Regions which have the potential to grow grass should be given the necessary assistance to plant more grasses and to nurture them to grow.

He noted that under the climate change programme on tree-planting, a certain number of trees were required in a particular area which most of the communities in the three Northern Regions could not meet; so they should be assisted to grow grass that would reap the same benefits for the environment.

The Professor said one of the best ways to protect the environment and prevent desertification was to empower traditional authorities and communities with resources, alternative means of livelihoods and other forms of incentives to encourage them to rejuvenate the environment through the growing of grass on a massive scale.

He stated that traditional authorities who were the custodians of communities had the ability and capabilities to deal with desertification and could be supported to lead their people to undertake measures that would improve the environment. 

He also appealed to traditional rulers and opinion leaders in communities to team up and work effectively against desertification, saying "if desert countries like Burkina Faso can now have a green environment what prevents Ghana from doing same?"

GNA

Gomoa, June 21, GNA - Hundreds of commuters travelling to and fro the Accra Cape Coast road are stranded following a heavy down pour, which submerged the road at Otsrekum, a village after Gomoa Potsin near Winneba on Monday morning.

Commuters in commercial transport, who could not afford to cut short their journeys are said to have come out of vehicles carrying their belongings to cross the flood on foot, which is said to about five feet deep.

Hundreds of vehicles including about ten Metro Mass buses that left Accra some as early as 1100 hours, are still stranded at the place as at 1600 hours on Monday, when the Ghana News Agency was informed about the incident.

An eyewitness, Mr Emil Amanfu commuting from Accra to Winneba, told the Ghana News Agency that many people, who could not cross the water by themselves, had to pay not less than GH¢ 2.0 to be carried across by some men who took advantage of it to make money.

He said the situation looked very messy as it had created heavy traffic making vehicular and even human movement very difficult at the area.

A road bridge in the area has also been totally covered by the water, and many feared that it is damaged. This most of the commuters said made it unsafe for them to cross on foot.    

Mr Amanfu said the arrival of the police and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation at scene, seemed to be helping the situation as they were preventing daring drivers and commuters from crossing the water for their own safety.

According to him, those he watched crossed water earlier did not have it easy and therefore he felt the police did the right thing by spotting people from crossing.

Mr Amanfu together with many others, who feared for their lives, therefore decided to return back to Accra.  

GNA