Stakeholders’ involvement in 2026/2027 national anti-bushfire campaign crucial—GNFS Planning Committee

Mr Francis Ameyibor, Member of the National Bushfire Prevention Campaign Stakeholders Planning Committee, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has underscored that broad-based stakeholder involvement is crucial to the success of the 2026/2027 National Anti-Bushfire Campaign and called on corporate Ghana to support the initiative.

Mr Ameyibor, who is the Executive Director of the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), stated during GNFS’ engagement with the National Bushfire Prevention Campaign Stakeholders Planning Committee in Accra to deliberate on this year's campaign strategy, implementation, and resource mobilization.

The engagement, held at the GNFS Headquarters in Accra, brought together representatives of key state institutions, development partners, and civil society to fine-tune modalities for the national, regional, and district launch of the campaign.

The stakeholders include the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Local Governments and Rural Development, the Forestry Commission, the National Insurance Commission (NIC), the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult).

The others include TROPRNBOS Ghana, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2026/2027 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign Launch, scheduled for Friday, September 25th, 2026, in Atebubu, Bono East Region, on the general theme 'Bushfire Prevention: A Collective Action for Sustainable Environmental Development and a Greener Ghana.'

Mr Ameyibor noted that bushfire prevention cannot be left to the GNFS alone, describing bushfires as "the worst form of human-induced attack on nature" that destroys forest cover, wildlife, biodiversity, farmlands, water bodies, property, and sometimes human lives.

"Bushfire prevention requires a collective effort. Stakeholder participation is not peripheral; it is central and crucial to restoring our natural environment," he stressed.

He explained that the expanded, purposeful, and progressive 2026 campaign seeks to move beyond awareness creation to building a sustainable, community-owned bushfire prevention architecture anchored on behavioural change, early warning, controlled burning, and strict enforcement of bylaws.

Mr Ameyibor urged the corporate world, traditional authorities, religious leaders, media, private sector, and the general public to see bushfire prevention as a national duty.

He revealed that as part of the dynamic strategy for the 2026/2027 campaign, members of the Stakeholders Planning Committee would soon embark on outreach visits to both public and private institutions to solicit logistical and financial support for the campaign.

"Don't close your doors when the GNFS Stakeholder calls on you. This is a national cause that demands everyone's contribution," Mr Ameyibor urged Corporate Ghana.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Edwin T. Nartey, of Rural Fires, renewed calls for support, indicating that the Service urgently requires logistics such as Wellington boots and combat boots, fire beaters, cutlasses, nose guards, motorbikes, bicycles, torchlights, overalls, megaphones, and whistles to equip community fire volunteers and rural fire brigades.

He said the GNFS doors remain open for support, adding that donations can be made at any national, regional, or district GNFS office and cheques should be written in the name of the Ghana National Fire Service.

The Committee also urged communities to establish early warning systems, adopt controlled burning practices, enact and enforce anti-bushfire bylaws at the District Assembly level, and intensify education among farmers, hunters, charcoal producers, and herdsmen who are identified as major risk groups.

"Together, we can restore Ghana's natural environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come," he said.

The GNFS reiterated its commitment to work with all partners to build nationwide awareness and resilience, ensuring that Ghana's ecosystems and farmlands are preserved for national food security and climate resilience.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Frederick Ohemeng, Director of Rural Fires, on behalf of the Chief Fire Officer and the Management of GNFS during the engagement in Accra.

DCFO Ohemeng noted that as the harmattan approaches, GNFS has rolled out modalities to rally state and non-state entities and communities to protect livelihoods, forests, and the economy from the threat of undesirable bushfires.

The Director of Rural Fires stressed that “with dry winds and low humidity set to sweep across Ghana in the coming weeks, bushfires are not seasonal accidents. They are a recurring economic and environmental crisis that threatens Ghana's food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods.

“The dry season, characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and dusty harmattan winds, significantly increases the risk of bushfires across the country. But risk does not have to become disaster. Prevention is possible, and it starts with awareness and action,” DCFO Ohemeng stated.

The Atebubu launch is expected to attract over 3,000 participants, including the Minister of the Interior, the Bono East Regional Minister, the President of the Regional House of Chief, Members of Parliament, the Atebubu Traditional Council, farmers, students, and security services.

Activities will include a high-level stakeholder dialogue, live firefighting equipment demonstrations, community durbars, and a mass public education drive.

The post-launch campaign will be cascaded to all 16 regions through the GNFS Rural Fires Directorate to ensure no community is left behind as the harmattan intensifies.