Bibiani: GNFS Schools Nzema-Nkwanta and Bethlehem Residents on Bushfire Prevention

Bibiani: GNFS Schools Nzema-Nkwanta and Bethlehem Residents on Bushfire Prevention

Officials of the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have educated residents of Nzema-Nkwanta and Bethlehem on bushfires prevention and domestic fires.

In an open remarks to the participants at the programme, the Assistant Divisional officer Grade II Emmanuel Bie (ADO II) explained.

“We have so far recorded 7 fire outbreaks in the first month of 2024 as against 3 the same period in 2023. This is not good enough and we therefore, have to educate the public on fire safety measures to be put in place to save lives and properties.

Station Officer II Edmond Nunoo (STNOII) said the engagement is, therefore, to help in battling fire outbreaks and allow you to ask questions and seek clarifications of fire safety issues.

He said hunting was a major cause of bushfires in the rural areas during the dry season.

He added that with the dry season approaching, if they desist from cooking in the farm, smoking and palm-wine tapping business, it can help to reduce bushfires.

Assistant Divisional officer Grade I David Azumah (ADO I) blamed the increase in fire outbreaks in the municipality on uncontrolled bush burning and appealed to residents to desist from the act by partnering GNFS to find better ways of clearing their lands.

As a result, he said actions would be taken against individuals who start fires on farms, homes, and properties.

He stressed that fire safety is a shared responsibility, We need other institutions, including the media, to get on board to help sustain the campaign to protect lives and properties and preserving the country’s resource” he said.

Station Officer II Samuel Nkrumah (STNOII) Rural fires coordinator advised farmers to create fire belts around their farms to minimise bushfire havocs as the harmattan season sets in.

He said the incidences of bushfires recorded in the country were posing serious threat to food security and undermining the resilience of farmers, especially women small holder farmers.

He said, “Most of these farmers often secure loans from banks and other financial institutions to invest in their farms. The devastation caused by bushfires and losing their produce can be quite overwhelming.

He therefore advised the participants to prioritise early harvesting of their crops in order not to lose their investments through bushfire outbreaks.

Deputy Group Officer Sarah Koranteng (DGO) recommended that every household should have fire extinguisher and smoke detectors, it is not good to use plastic bags or towels, curtains and other combustible materials in the kitchen.

On behalf of the participants, Mr Samuel Abugri, the assembly member for Nzema-Nkwanta and Bethlehem electora area speaking to Bibianinews.com commended the GNFS for the exercise and appealed to the government and philanthropists to resource the service to enable it to discharge its mandate.

He announced that they will form fire volunteer to help avoid bushfire. 

Source: BibianaNews.com