“The President of the Republic of Ghana has led us in an exemplary leadership by planting 5 million trees on the 12th of June 2021, how many of those trees have been sustained? The Executive Director of a youth lead environmental-focused group, Visionary Buluk Organization (VBO) Ernest Alaazy questioned, after suggestions to cut down the iconic trees inherited by the people of Sandama over a long period.
Concerned residents of Sandema in the Bulisa North Municipality of the Upper East Region have expressed disquiet over pressure from the contractor working on the Sandema Fumbisi road to fall the trees along the road.
According to them, amid the threat of global warming and perennial flooding in the area, the decision to cut down the trees will defeat the government Green Ghana agenda. They have implored on the engineers and the contractors to find innovative means to construct the road while preserving the iconic trees. Rising global temperatures continuously affect the basic needs of life; water, food, and shelter; this is evident in irregular rainfalls, high rises in sea levels, and temperature in Ghana.
The upcoming 27th session of the Conference of the Parties, which will be held in Egypt places emphasis on the need to see progress in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, and finance with the call by Parties to at least double finance for adaptation. In 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo at a durbar of the chiefs and people of the area announced the award of contract for commencement of work on roads in the district. The President placed particular emphasis on the Navrongo- Sandema- Siniesi- Fumbisi roads.
As announced, work has begun on some parts of the road. The construction will open up the area to more businesses and reduce road accidents. Now, Sandema has a price to pay – all or part of the beautiful Mahogany trees would have to go down to make way for the road infrastructure. The trees are a hurdle for the contractor which would be cleared. This is a decision most people are not very pleased with.
The Executive Director of youth lead environmental focused group, Visionary Buluk Organization (VBO) Ernest Alaazy who spoke to apexnewsgh.com maintains residents want the road to be expanded and made fit but they, on the other side, do not want to lose the precious iconic trees they have inherited and lived with for a long time.
An Opinion Leader in the community Derrick Abakisi called on the government to intervene to address the impasse.
A resident of the area who spoke on condition of anonymity also expressed grave concern over the development.
Sandema is the capital of the Builsa North District Assembly, home of the Builsa (Bulsa) people and the seat of the Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area. With an estimated land size of 816 squared km and a population of over 56, 477 inhabitants, the area lies Westward of the Upper East Region, sharing borders with the Kassena-Nankana Municipal and West District Assemblies.
Aside from the beautiful culture, food, and the peace-loving people, another beautiful sight to behold as one moves into the Sandema town is the long line of the tall, ancient and iconic mahogany trees nicely standing on both sides of the major street. The jealously guarded trees have wide branches sprout with thick leafy cover and branches intertwined from each side creating a nice canopy, saving travelers from the heat of the Sun, beautifying the street, and ushering them into the town with fresh air blowing gently.
But with a road expansion project underway, there are concerns the iconic trees will be destroyed. The trees have become part of the town’s identity and the people have immense love for them. Residents have pledged to go to any extent to protect them.
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Prosper Adankai/ News Contributor
