Accra-Ghana, Nov. 15 – The National Stakeholders Planning Committee of the 2023–2024 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign has selected Nsawam in the Eastern Region as the location for the national launch on November 23rd, which will take place under the auspices of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The National Bushfire Prevention Campaign’s overarching theme for 2023–2024 is “Sixty years of GNFS existence: Bushfire prevention is critical to sustaining our natural resources and food safety.”
During an emergency meeting on Tuesday in Accra, the committee attributed the relocation from Odumase Krobo to Nsawam to operational challenges, unforeseen circumstances during groundwork, and other difficulties related to mobilisation.
Following the emergency meeting, the committee’s chairman, GNFS Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) James Owusu-Agyei, informed media that an operational issue discovered during the preparatory phase was the reason for the relocation from Odumase Krobo to Nsawam.
In addition to apologising to traditional leaders, school administrators, and other stakeholders in Odumase Krobo for the change in venue, DCFO Owusu-Agyei, the GNFS Director of Rural Fires, also gave them the assurance that a special event would be planned in Odumase Krobo following the national launch on November 23 at Nsawam.
In order to secure their full support and cooperation in hosting the event, he said that the planning committee had started intensive groundwork in Nsawam, involving stakeholders like farmers, social club leaders, heads of educational institutions, traditional and religious leaders, and other strategic parties.
As DCFO Owusu-Agyei pointed out, “for that matter, everything must be done to save the forests and vegetative cover that support agriculture and other economic activities.” Agriculture continues to be the dominant industry in the nation.
The GNFS Director of Rural Fires emphasised that “we are appealing to all Ghanaians to join us in our fight against illegal fires.” The agricultural sector is a national treasure that needs to be protected by vigorous and continuous anti-bushfire education.
The protection of traditional leaders’ territories from bushfires is imperative.”
In order to prevent fires, he emphasised the significance of growing young volunteerism.
Additionally, DCFO Owusu-Agyei called on religious leaders and traditional leaders to back the public education campaign about the value of safeguarding the country’s natural resources and land as holy treasures.
He emphasised that in order to combat bushfires, the service will require the following supplies: motorbikes and bicycles, megaphones, whistles, dungarees, fire beaters, cutlasses, nose guards, and Wellington and combat boots.
“GNFS doors are open wide for support,” said DCFO Owusu-Agyei. Donations can be dropped off at any of the district, regional, or national offices of the GNFS, or you can contact and we’ll come get them. Cheques should be made out to the Ghana National Fire Service.
He noted that bushfires “not only destroying the habitation, but our very survival is at stake” and that “both the government and the private sector must see the fight as a corporate social responsibility effort.” The rate at which our greenery is disappearing puts us all at risk.
As part of the statewide launch, GNFS Regional Commands will employ door-to-door communications, volunteer and peer education, community radio shows, and community durbars to emphasise the importance of putting out bushfires.
According to him, the event would feature a football gala, a float, an inter-second cycle quiz, and a grand finale on November 23 in Nsawam, Eastern Region.
As part of the countrywide launch, GNFS Regional Commands will stress the value of extinguishing bushfires through door-to-door outreach, volunteer and peer education, community durbars, and community radio programmes.
The members of the 2023 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign Committee, which includes DCFO Owusu-Agyei as chairman, GNFS Director Logistics DCFO Heroie Sekyere-Boakye, ACFO Jerry Harding Bruce, Deputy Director Rural Fires, and DOIII George Tetteh, Rural Fires Administration.
Others include Madam Emeralda Arthur of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Francis Ameyibor of the Ghana News Agency, Mr Koranteng Abrokwa and Madam Luthia S. Jamal of NADMO, Mr Edward Amoah Odame of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr Prince Anane Agyei of the Forestry Commission, Mr Charles Ansong Dankyi of the National Insurance Commission, and Mr James Dubik of Ghana Meteo.
The others are Madam Rosemond Sam of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Isaac Nunoo Tropenbos of Ghana, Mr. Abdallah Seidu of the Forestry Commission, and Miss Jacqueline Ama Ghartey of the Ministry of the Interior.
