Brong Ahafo takes measures to curb bush fires

Sunyani, Dec. 8, GNA - the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and some organizations have formed a 14-member committee as part of measures to stop bush fire outbreaks in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The committee, which is headed by the Deputy Regional Minister, Nana Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, is made up of the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission and the Meteorological Service Department. Mr. Joseph E Nyarko, the Deputy Regional Minister, told the GNA in an interview that the region was noted for fire outbreaks as a result of burning of grass by Fulani herdsmen and group haunting. He said all municipalities and districts have been directed to form committees headed by the chief executives.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Information Services Department would move from district to district to educate the people against bushfires from December 7 to January 8 next year. Mr Nyarko said a force comprising the military, the police, Fire Service and NADMO personnel would be deployed in each district from January 8 next year till the rainy season begins. He said 40 percent of the five forest zones in the region namely Sunyani, Bechem, Kintampo, Goaso and Dormaa Ahenkro had been degraded and appealed to the public to appreciate nature and replenish it for posterity. He said so far no fire outbreak had been recorded in the region.