Ghana National Fire Service has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to fulfill the requirement of the PNDC Law 229 in their various jurisdictions to safeguard the continuous indiscriminate bush burning in the country.
Speaking at the launch of Anti-bush fire campaign in Wechiau at the Wa West District, the Acting Upper West Regional Commander of the Service, DO1 Abraham Nii Dodoo said section 5 of the PNDC Law 229 mandates all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to institute Bush Fire Subcommittees which will regulate the burning of vegetation within their jurisdictions.
However, no assembly in the Upper West Region has fulfilled that requirement. Mr Nii Dodoo stated that Ghana National Fire Service cannot be in every community and districts to respond to emergency fire outbreak rapidly due to farther distance and the need for Ghanaians to support the campaign in order to save lives and property.
Fire Volunteerism is a community based concept geared to stimulate the involvement and spirit of fire fighting among the community members.
The fire volunteers across the length and breadth of the country form the first line of action in tackling bushfires at the grassroots and serving as link between the fire service and the community.
To make it a success, the Upper West regional Command of the Fire Service has passed out 64 fire volunteers having gone through training in foot drills, causes of fire outbreak, fire suppression and PNDC Law 229 among others.
The Acting Regional Commander, DO1 Abraham Nii Dodoo said despite the effort to inaugurate fire volunteers across various communities in the region, the bush fire menace is still on ascendancy.
“Despite frantic efforts in inaugurating fire volunteers across various communities in the region, the bushfire menace is still on the ascendancy.”
“The regional data shows that from January to December 2018, the total number of bushfires recorded was 27 whereas the corresponding data from the same period this year was 32.”
“This clearly shows an upsurge in the bushfire outbreak in the region” he said.
Mr Nii Dodoo indicated that the figures on the fire outbreak is worrying phenomenon and a development which requires a collective effort by all and sundry to support the fire volunteers to mitigate before it causes more harm to the vegetation and wildlife.
He revealed that many a time, fire volunteerism fizzles out because fire volunteers have expected the fire service to resource them, provide them with logistics and recruit them in future.
“So when these resources are not forthcoming, the fire volunteers tend to lose interest,” he added.
Mr Nii Dodoo acknowledged partners such NADMO, VRA, Forestry Commission, GIZ among others for their continuous support toward the fight against indiscriminate bush burning.
Upper West Regional Director of NADMO, Ahmed Mustapha indicated that the effect of the bush fire is unbearable including the loss of farm produce, soil fertility and sometimes loss of lives
Mr Mustapha said about 467 acres got burnt and four thousand six hundred and seventy bags of farm produce have been lost this year.
“Ladies and gentlemen it is our ardent hope to eliminate the occurrence of bush fire this year. So far a total of four hundred and sixty seven acres, a number of bags, four thousand six hundred and seventy farm produce lost to bushfires.”
“Some of these produce include: maize and soya beans. NADMO in collaboration with GNFS have started radio discussion to mitigate the impact of bushfires. We can only continue this fight against bushfires if traditional rulers support the campaign, if MMDCEs support the campaign, and community leaders stamp their feet in ensuring community by-laws are adhered to.”
“Yes we can eliminate bushfires from the Upper West Region and yes we can save our economic trees,” Mr. Mustapha pointed out.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih pledged to direct and ensure that all Municipal and District Assemblies in the region establish and operationalize the bush fire prevention subcommittees when the next assembly sessions resume.
He said as a nation, the destiny is in the hand of every member of the society and posterity will judge the current generation if we fail to act and safeguard the environment.
Dr Bin Salih indicated that the fire volunteers are the watchdogs of their various communities to help combat bushfires.
He entreated all stakeholders to help equip and motivate the volunteers to carry out their duties well to conserve the environment.
The inauguration of the fire volunteer squads against bushfire was on the theme: My Environment, My Life, Stop Bush Fire Now.
Story filed by Dennis Bebane.
