A devastating bushfire has destroyed more than 60 acres of cashew and cocoa farms in parts of the Techiman North District of the Bono East Region, leaving several farming households in distress.
The fire, which broke out on Sunday, tore through farmlands at Asuyie and Aworowa, burning mature cashew trees and cocoa plantations that form the backbone of the local economy.
For many affected farmers, the losses represent years of investment wiped out in a matter of hours.
Residents told Adom News that the blaze spread rapidly across the dry landscape, making it difficult to control before extensive damage was done. Several farmers now face uncertainty over how they will sustain their families in the coming season.
“The fire has taken everything we depended on. Some of us have lost farms we have nurtured for years,” one farmer lamented.
The destruction has plunged communities into economic hardship, with farmers losing both current income and future production. Many fear they may not recover without external support.
Following the incident, residents have appealed to the government, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for relief items, financial assistance, and support to restore their farms.
The Assembly Member for Asuyie, Owusu Adamu, also called for intensified public education on fire prevention, particularly during the dry season, to reduce the risk of similar disasters. He urged authorities to respond swiftly to help farmers rebuild their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Techiman North District NADMO Director, Adamu Mohammed, assured residents that the situation has been assessed and formally reported for further action. He cautioned the public against activities that could trigger bushfires, noting that the Assembly’s by-laws prohibit such acts and that offenders will be sanctioned.
Mr Mohammed added that the District Assembly is revamping community fire volunteer groups to strengthen prevention, early response, and safety measures across the district.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by hunters operating in the area. He therefore advised hunters and residents to exercise caution with fire, especially during the dry season, to prevent similar destruction in Asuyie and Aworowa.
As the affected communities count their losses, they continue to appeal for urgent support to help them recover from the impact of the bushfire.
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