Funsi, (U/W), Aug. 2, GNA - The Right Reverend Paul Bemile, Catholic Bishop of Wa on Friday appealed to farmers in the northern regions to embrace organic farming which has been scientifically proved to be environmentally friendly as well as sustaining the fertility of the soil.

Organic farming involve the use of animal droppings and other decomposed farm residue as manure to fertilize the crops. Bishop Bemile made this call in a speech read on his behalf at the celebration of this year's diocesan Abor Day held at Funsi in the Funsi Parish of the South Sissala District.

Abor Day or tree planting day, is under the theme: "promoting, sustainable development through environmental consciousness". Rev. Father Cornelius Naah Bayirinoba, Vicar General of the Wa diocese deputised for the Bishop at the function at, which 650 seedlings of grafted mango, cashew and cassia were planted to mark the day. Bishop Bemile recalled that those who originally introduced the use of chemical fertilizer into the country did so with a one-sided message that is how effectively its application could significantly help crop yield, without telling the people of its long-term destructive effect to the environment.

He noted that the Funsi area, which was once known for its bush meat, particularly the grasscutter, is now without its animals because of the destruction of their habitat.

Bishop Bemile called on Ghanaians to stop our negative practices, which destroy the environment and called on the people to live up to their duty to care for God's creation.

He therefore, called on the farmers to stop farming along the banks of rivers and dams, which desilt the rivers and also desist from indiscriminate felling of trees and the use of dangerous chemicals for fishing.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Godfrey Tangu Wa District Chief Executive reminded the people, especially the youth about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and called on them to observe the three simple rules of abstinence, faithfulness and the use of condom in order not to contract the disease.

Mr. James Dumah, Manager of the Funsi Agricultural Project called for the setting up of effective structures to enforce the laws passed on environmental degradation.