2022/2023 anti bushfire campaign launched

The Wenchi Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Wenchi charpter of the Ghana National Fire Service has launched 2022/2023 anti bushfire campaign to sensitize residents on the danders and effects of bushfires.

D. O. 2 Mr Eric Boating the Wenchi Municipal Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service speaking at the launched during the 38th National Farmers Day celebration at Nwoase said it has become an annual ritual to launch this programme because some Ghanaians have not stop burning the environment indiscriminately.

D . O . 2 Mr Eric Boating further explained that the use of fire in the bush, be it hunting, honey extracting, cooking, clearing of land, driving away reptiles or wild animals, smoking and the likes result in incessant increase of bushfires in the municipality.

Giving statistics on bushfires outbreak in the municipality from 2020 till date he said in 2020 the Wenchi Municipal office of the Ghana National Fire Service recorded a total number of thirteen bushfire cases but have been decrease to three in 2021 .

He expressed worry about the rate at which bushfires were increasing in the municipality this year saying that the Wenchi Municipality recorded 9 bushfire cases.

It is our aim that in 2023 we will record zero bushfire cases in Wenchi municipality he lamented.

D. O. 2 Mr Eric Boating reiterated that PNDC law 229  (Control and Prevention of Bushfires Act), it is unlawful for any person to start any bushfires for any purpose.

He cautioned that anyone who breaks the law is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than one thousand penalty units or a term of imprisonment.

He therefore advised that citizens must report any bushfires they come across and failure to report without justifiable reasons is also an offence.

Nana Kwaku Bediako V the President of Tano Subin Divisional Council who doubles as the Paramount Chief of Branam and Chairman of the 38th Municipal Farmers Day celebration pointed out that fires in his traditional area are caused mostly by group hunters (Atwiyefo) and Fulani herdsmen.

He appealed to the Wenchi Municipal Security Council to put necessary security measures to curb the menace.