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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
At the launch of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) 2024/2025 Bushfire Prevention Campaign in Accra, 19 Pick-Ups, 2 Command vehicles and 1 Bush Fire Rapid Intervention vehicle were presented to GNFS.
The Pick-Ups and the Command vehicles were handed over by the Government of Ghana for GNFS operational duties while Fire Aid UK and International Development Team donated a Rapid Intervention Vehicle. The vehicle, specially designed to suit Ghana’s needs, will be used to fight bushfires and ensure the safety of farmlands and vegetation.
Minister for the Interior, Hon. Henry Quartey who launched the campaign on the theme “Effective Bush Fire Prevention; Stakeholders’ Role in Ensuring a Greener Tomorrow’ and presented the vehicles to GNFS, emphasised the importance of protecting Ghana’s forests and farmlands as agriculture is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, with many citizens engaged in peasant or commercial farming.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the causes and effects of bushfires, which have resulted in food shortages, reduced foreign exchange earnings and the extinction of important animal and plant species.
The Minister noted that the campaign seeks to educate the public, particularly farmers, herdsmen, palm wine tappers and game hunters, on the devastating effects of bushfires. He highlighted that the common causes of bushfires include cooking on farms, game hunting, unguarded palm wine tapping, dropping cigarette butts, and clearing farmlands with fire. These human actions and inactions have caused significant losses to the country, including food shortages and reduced foreign exchange earnings.
Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Julius Kunoor stated that the GNFS has trained over 6,000 fire volunteers to assist in managing bushfires in the communities. He added that the fire volunteers play a crucial role in preventing and responding to wildfires, which threatens Ghana’s forests.
The launch was under the theme “𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙀𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬,” the campaign seeks to highlight the urgent need for collective action to safeguard farmlands and natural vegetation from the ravages of bushfires.
The colorful event was graced and duly launched by the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Henry Quartey (MP), Minister for the Interior, alongside other government officials, Members of the Fire Service Council, and representatives from Fire Aid UK.
The occasion also featured an engaging skit by a vibrant Fire Volunteer Group from the Nsawam Municipality, which creatively underscored the importance of bushfire prevention.
This campaign launch reaffirms the GNFS’s commitment to environmental conservation and public safety, urging all stakeholders to take active roles in protecting Ghana’s green resources for future generations.
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