Forestry Commission receives fire tenders to control wildfires

Twelve fire tenders and ICT equipment were on Thursday presented to the Forestry Commission (FC) to assist it in controlling wildfires and protecting the forests.

The eight million euro equipment funded by the government of the Netherlands formed part of a wildfire management project aimed at rehabilitating forests through wildfire prevention and control.

Speaking at the presentation, Mrs Esther Obeng Dappah, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, said the design and development of the equipment were a collaborative effort between the Ghana National Fire Service, Forestry Commission and a Netherlands company to ensure that it corresponded to the climatic conditions in Ghana.

She said currently, government was implementing the strategies of the National Fire Policy to ensure improvement in livelihood and global environment.

Ms Dappah commended the government and people of the Netherlands for their continued support to Ghana.

Ms Lidi Remmelzwaal, the Netherlands ambassador in Ghana, said the Netherlands was committed to support Ghana in her effort to reduce environmental degradation, which was currently almost 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She expressed the hope that the equipment would help control wildfires and protect the forests.

Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive Officer of FC, called on the media to educate the public on the activities of the Wildfire Management Project to ensure that it succeeded.