Tsetseflies Invade 4 Lawra Communities

Tsetseflies have invaded four communities in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region.

The bite of the flies causes sleeping sickness.
Areas invaded are Brifo, Dikpe, Bagri and Lyssa, all farming communities along the River Volta and its tributaries.

Naa Puowelle Karbo III, Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, made this known last Wednesday when the Regional Minister, Mahmad Khalid, paid a courtesy call on him.

"I wish to bring to your notice the gradual return of tsetseflies to some part of the Lawra traditional area especially along the River Volta and its tributaries.

"This insect, which is the vector for the debilitating sleeping sickness that was eradicated at a great expense and loss of human lives, has been sighted at Brifo, Kikpe, Bagri and Lyssa in recent times.

"I am informed that experts have made preliminary contacts in some of the affected communities but eradication efforts are yet to be initiated," Naa Karbo told the Minister and expressed worry about the situation.

He pleaded for an early intervention to prevent the spread of the flies to other parts of the paramountcy.

Naa Karbo, also noted that rain fed agriculture was no longer sustainable, and called on the government to source funding for the construction of the Kamba Irrigation Project to boost all-year-round agricultural production.

He explained that the provision of the Kamba irrigation project supported by other small-scale irrigation schemes, would help reduce poverty drastically.

Mr Khalid said he would take up the issue of the tsetse flies with the appropriate authority for immediate action.

He called for peace and unity among the people, saying that without peace there could be no meaningful development.