Information reaching ghenvironment.com indicates that, a wildfire is rapidly spreading through the Mpameso forest reserve at Diabaakrom in the Dorma West District of the Bono Region. The fire which started about two weeks ago has significantly damaged the protected reserve causing extensive destruction to the vegetation and potentially impacting wildlife within the reserve. Nyantakyi Douglas alias Saint from Nsroma Fm told ghenvironment.com that, farmlands closer to the forest such as coffee, cocoa, cashew, orange, and plantain have all been burnt down. Even though the cause of the raging fire is unknown, it is rumored that some chainsaw operators cutting down timber in the forest might have set the fire. According to an eyewitness, the previous NPP administration in the year 2017 gave out some portions of the forest for logging and it is rumored that, one of the chainsaw operators working in one of the compartment might have set the fire to prepare food leading to the destruction. Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service in the Bono Region have failed to get the fire under control, despite moving many of their fire tenders in the forest. “The fire keeps on spreading rapidly and it is beyond the control of the personnel of the fire service and our expectation is that, the rain will fall very soon if not the entire forest will be consumed by fire as the fire officers cant do much”, an eyewitness said. Another eyewitness was worried that, bush meat will not be available after the fire has been brought under control. “This forest has always served us well, especially with bushmeat but looking at the fast spread of the fire, I am afraid that, we wont get any bushmeat again after they bring the fire under control”, another eyewitness added. About the Mpameso forest reserve The Mpameso forest reserve is located in the Bono and Ahafo regions of Ghana. The majority of the total coverage of this Forest reserve is located in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region and the minor part in the Asutifi North district of the Ahafo Region.
Some burnt part of the forest
It is located at latitude 7.07375 and longitude -2.87806, with the estimated terrain elevation above the mean sea level of 260m. This forest reserve, renowned for its ecological significance, encompasses diverse and unique ecosystems. It also plays a critical role in maintaining regional biodiversity and supporting local communities' livelihoods.