Regional Anti-Bushfire Campaign Launched

The Bono East regional anti-bushfire campaign for the year has been launched in Atebubu.

Performing the launch, the Bono East Regional Minister, Hon. Kofi Amoakohene referred to the theme for the campaign "my environment, my life, stop bushfires now" and said people must not take the environment for granted.

He indicated that since "when the last tree dies the last man dies" all hands must be on deck to help mitigate this menace in the area.

He said government has invested heavily in many agricultural initiatives aimed at food security, economic development and the well-being of farmers saying bushfires pose a threat to these laudable programmes. He urged the various municipal and district assemblies in the region to enact bye-laws on bushfires to help address the problem.

Hon. Amoakohene who is also the Member of Parliament for the Atebubu-Amantin constituency asked the regional office of the Ghana National Fire Service to ensure regular sensitization of the people on the menace of bushfires.

The regional minister who inaugurated an anti-bushfire volunteer squad later presented 4 two-in-one steel student beds and mattresses to the municipal office of the GNFS.

The Bono East Regional Commander of the Service, DO1 George Anim Frimpong told the gathering that Atebubu was chosen for the launch because of the high incidence of bushfires in the municipality and the willingness and support extended to his outfit by various stakeholders.

He took the gathering through the anti-bushfire law PNDC law 229 of 1990 saying that although the causes of bushfires are both human and natural, studies have shown that 95% of these causes are human related.

Describing the current bushfire situation as an ‘emergency’ he called for the application of the relevant laws to stem the tide.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Edward Owusu said bushfires constitute a threat to the municipality’s status as the leading producer of maize countrywide adding that over 150 farmers have been adversely affected by bushfires in the last one month.

He promised to fight the perennial menace caused by Fulani herdsman with the support of the regional minister to ensure farmers go about their activities in peace.

Present were district fire commanders from the Kintampo North and Sene West districts while fire volunteers from Kwame Danso, Kadjaji, Nkoranza and Kintampo were also in attendance.

The function was co-chaired by the Twafohene of the Atebubu traditional area Nana Ofori Yeboah and Nana Anim Danso Kyidomhene of the Amantin traditional area.