Fodome Traditional Area partners with Ghana National Fire Service to prevent bushfires
The Fodome Traditional Area has partnered with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to prevent bushfires and protect the environment. Assistant Chief Fire Officer One (ACFO I), Joy Ameyibor Ayim, the Volta Regional Fire Commander, commended the Fodome Traditional Area for their collaborative efforts with the GNFS.
During the inauguration of 65 volunteers who underwent three-week intensive training, ACFO I Ayim emphasized that fire prevention and fighting are shared responsibilities, and it requires the cooperation of both the citizens and the GNFS. He lamented that bush burning had become rampant in communities and was destroying food crops, medicinal plants, trees, and wildlife, as well as causing loss of lives, property damage, pollution, and environmental degradation.
ACFO I Ayim urged the Fodome Traditional Area to offer the necessary support and assistance to the volunteers to enable them to perform their duties effectively. He also called on stakeholders to provide working tools to the volunteers to aid in achieving their goals. The traditional authorities and municipal assembly were also urged to establish a bushfire preventive fund, while district assemblies were asked to support rural fire departments with motorbikes to facilitate bushfire prevention.
The Secretary to Togbega Gbedegbleme Akpatsa II, the Paramount Chief, Fabian Kwame Alex Kwamuar, bemoaned the extent to which bushfires destroyed crops, plants, and animals in the area. He noted that the Fodome Traditional Area had instituted measures to curb the menace through bye-laws, and with the support of the GNFS, formed the fire volunteers to continue to support the initiative in making the area free of bushfires.
The Volta Regional Deputy Rural Fire Coordinator, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade Two (ADO II) Amenyo Gallen, urged citizens to volunteer to be trained to prevent bushfires, as their efforts would help the GNFS in discharging its duties. Volunteer Victor Kudo Sylvester noted that being a volunteer was a proud moment and would help to prevent bushfires in Fodome, while volunteer Madam Kotoh Delali stated that preventing fires would help develop communities, and encouraged citizens to partake in volunteerism projects.
For the most part, it is evident that bushfires have become a significant challenge in the Fodome Traditional Area, and concerted efforts are needed to prevent and fight them. The collaboration between the GNFS and the Fodome Traditional Area, as well as the training of volunteers, is a commendable step in the right direction towards protecting the environment and reducing the negative impacts of bushfires.
Source: GNA