A devastating forest fire has ravaged a significant portion of Afadjato, Ghana’s highest mountain, bringing tourism in the resort community of Liati-Wote to a standstill for several days.
The fire also consumed extensive farmlands along the slopes of the 885-meter highland, destroying crops such as cocoa, coffee, plantain, banana, maize, vegetables, and cassava.
The normally vibrant community is now shrouded in silence as residents assess their losses, adding to the subdued atmosphere of a place where noise-making and keeping dogs are traditionally prohibited.
At least eight cocoa and plantain farmers lost their plantations to the inferno, while the efforts of dedicated local firefighters helped save some farms.
The three-day blaze also decimated wildlife populations, claiming species like grass cutters, snails, snakes, antelopes, impalas, tortoises and butterflies. Afadjato, once lush and green, now stands barren, its charred trees casting a sombre brown hue across the landscape.
Togbe Kordadza V, Chief of Liati-Wote, attributed the fire to negligence by a man from a neighbouring community who left his charcoal-burning flames unchecked.
“The fire spread rapidly due to the strong harmattan winds and extremely dry weather,” the chief explained, describing the disaster as a major blow to livelihoods in the community, which heavily relies on tourism and farming.
While the community knows the origins of the careless act, the chief has chosen not to pursue the matter further, prioritizing peace. To prevent future incidents, they are considering forming a vigilante group to monitor and apprehend individuals who ignite fires on the mountain.
Albert Tawia, the community’s Tourist Site Manager, recounted the timeline of the disaster, stating, “The fire began on January 10, raged throughout January 11, and subsided on January 12.”
For safety reasons, tourism activities at Afadjato and Tagbo Falls were temporarily suspended due to smouldering embers posing a risk. Tours have since resumed, but the scars left by the fire serve as a sobering reminder of the need for greater vigilance.
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