The Western Regional Fire Command has recorded 22 bushfire incidents in the first two months of 2025, raising concerns over a worrying trend compared to 2024, when the region recorded a total of 39 bushfires throughout the year.
In response to the rising cases, the Fire Command has launched an Anti-Bushfire Campaign and inaugurated a team of 60 fire volunteers in the Jomoro Municipality to support firefighting efforts in rural communities.
The 60 volunteers, drawn from six communities, will play a crucial role in bushfire prevention and education.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, ACFO II David Asah Darko emphasized the significance of their role, highlighting the need for grassroots engagement in fire safety.
“These volunteers are embedded within the communities. Their primary role is to educate farmers and residents on fire safety measures, especially regarding the controlled burning of post-harvest waste to prevent bushfires, which pose a threat to the ecosystem,” he stated.
ACFO II Darko also appealed to the Jomoro Municipal Assembly to allocate funds from the District Assembly Common Fund to sustain anti-bushfire initiatives.
He further urged authorities to establish Bushfire Control Sub-Committees, in line with Section 5 of PNDC Law 229—the Control and Prevention of Bushfires Act of 1990.
“Adequate funding and adherence to existing fire prevention laws will go a long way in curbing the menace of bushfires in the region,” he added.
The Jomoro Municipal Coordinator, Emmanuel Boateng, pledged the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the volunteers, ensuring they are well-equipped to carry out their duties. As a token of support, the Assembly presented them with cutlasses and boots to aid their work.
Representing Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, Nana Tano Blay III urged the volunteers to take their duties seriously and uphold integrity in their work. He cautioned against using their position for personal gain at the expense of the communities they serve.
The event also recognized and honored outstanding fire officers and volunteers for their dedication and exemplary service in firefighting and bushfire prevention.
With this new initiative, authorities hope to curb the growing threat of bushfires and safeguard the environment in the Region.
