Bekoro is a predominantly farming community in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region.At a time when the rains have failed, most farmers are recording failed crops, especially maize and pepper because of drought. Yet tree felling is on the rise, as local communities here burn charcoal as an alternative source of livelihood.
For a driver like Emma, carrying loads of charcoal from the rural area to the district capital is a daily routine.
Today he has 30 sack loads of charcoal on his five-passenger taxi cab – he often carries 40, whilst still leaving space to accommodate his client. Each sack attracts one Ghana Cedi if it arrives safely at final destination.
Observing the driver behind the wheel with the passenger and goods plying the long untarred road is amazing but very sad thinking through the damage to the forest, environment and future livelihoods. And all I could ask myself was for how long...?
© Kofi Adu Domfeh
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