Sylvanus Doe
The effects of fire on savannas and food security in northern Ghana
Fire is a major anthropogenic determinant in global savannas. In Ghanaian savannas, fire is used predominantly by the agrarian society to perform multiple activities including herding, farming and hunting. Fire thus plays essential roles in rural livelihoods. However, large-scale biomass burning being experienced seasonally in 80-100% of the communities has affected systemic functionality of bioecological processes, environmental heterogeneity and retarded physiognomies of phytospecies. This study examined the effects of fire on savannas in a conceptual framework that provided accurate grassroots data to demonstrate contextual understandings of current situations necessary for efficient fire management. To achieve this, the study applied hybrid-science participatory research models to assess the policies, cross-traditional practices and perceptions, and decision making institutions influencing the interactions of fire, human and savanna ecologies. The analysed data contested that increased fire frequency was a significant contributor to extensive ecological degradation and the weakened resilience of subsistence savanna economies to continuous complexity of food insecurity and poverty issues. Fires also constrained meaningful investment in developing sustainable agro-industries, food production systems and Ghana’s aims of achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. The research discovered that all fire occurrences in West Mamprusi were human-induced. Whilst men accounted for 86% of the incidences, about 14% was caused by women, but the least represented in fire management programs. Managing fires successfully in the communities will be confronted by indigenous resource user-politics and needs. The result suggested useful options for theoretical considerations and emphasised practical approaches which could augment new resource governance culture and local participation.
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