By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has launched the 2024/2025 regional anti-bushfire campaign to help create awareness of the devastating effects of bushfires on the environment and properties.
The campaign was on the theme, “Effective Bushfire Prevention, Stakeholders’ Role in Ensuring Greener Tomorrow”.
The campaign initiative is to help curb the issue of bushfires as the dry season draws near. The campaign is an annual initiative by the GNFS to help curb the issue of bushfires in the region and the country at large. It is also to educate the public on domestic fires, which are sometimes caused by negligence and accident.
In an interview with GBC News, the Eastern Regional Fire Officer, ACFOI Timothy Osafo-Affum, noted that the campaign is to create awareness among the populace, especially the rural dwellers, to ensure that farmlands and natural resources are not destroyed as a result of rampant bushfires. ACFOI Osafo-Affum revealed that as of October this year the region had recorded one hundred bushfires, which exceeded what the region recorded the whole of last year, hence the need to intensify the awareness.
The Chairman of the Atiwa West Community Resource Management Area, CREMA, Mr. Reginald Osei Yeboah, hinted that the launch of the anti-bushfire campaign is in the right direction. He noted that the forest reserves, water bodies, and environment are for the future generation; therefore, as caretakers of the natural resources, there is the need to help protect and preserve them.
The Akwapim North Municipal Chief Executive, Barima Asiedu Larbi, re-emphasised that the core mandate of every citizen of the country is to protect and preserve the environment for the future generation. He advised farmers to adopt the modern way of farming and desist from the traditional way of farming, which involves bush burning.
The Executive Secretary of the Okyeman Environment Foundation at Kyebi, Mr. Kofi Gyimah Amoako-Gyimah, explained that there is the need to train fire volunteers in various communities to help in the fight against bushfires.
The Atiwa West CREMA Fire volunteers who were trained by the GNFS performed a sketch on how to extinguish bushfire.