By Albert Oppong-Ansah

A total of 249,373 hectares of forest reserves and plantations, equivalent to over 600,000 average football pitches, were lost to bush fires between 2011 and 2021, data from the Forestry Commission has indicated.

The fires occurred mainly in Savannah and the transitional zones, which include areas in Sunyani, Juaso, Lawura, Yendi, parts of Upper East, Walewale, Bibiani, Buipe, Begro, Mpraeso, Goaso, and Bole districts.

Scientists said the annual bush fires posed serious threat to the food security of the country if comprehensive steps were not taken to deal with them.