Ho, Aug 18, GNA - Togbe Ahorney II, Volta Regional Programme Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on Monday called on all stakeholders at the district level to design practical policy actions to prevent and control bushfires.

He said involvement of district assemblies, communities, chiefs and other stakeholders on issues pertaining to bushfire management would stem the menace.

Togbe Ahorney was speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop on bushfire management in Ho for stakeholders, including assembly members, chiefs, heads of departments and non-governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The workshop was organised by the Philanthropy Host Family Service (PHFS), a Ho-based NGO and sponsored by the World Bank Small Grant Programme and Charity Aids Foundation, West Africa. He said the Bushfire Control and Prevention Law of 1990 is not deterrent enough and needs to be supported by area specific punitive bye-laws.

Togbe Ahorney said bush burning causes irreparable damage to the habitat, flora, fauna and the ecological balance.

"Excessive burning beyond 400 degree Celsius, for instance, completely destroys the soil organic matter ..," he said. Togbe Ahorney said Ho District recorded the highest bushfire incidence in the region since 2000 with its associated loss of lives and properties.

Mr Shine Fiagorme, a Programme Officer of EPA, said although the effects of bushfire on rural livelihood and on the ecosystem are extensive and damaging and it has been difficult to reduce or eliminate the menace.

He called for an urgent need to intensify and review programmes underway towards addressing the menace.

Mr Fiagorme suggested an alternative livelihood programmes such as controlled burning and adopting modern farming system such as agro-forestry instead of the slash and burn.