The Forestry Commission of Ghana has taken a significant stride in safeguarding the nation’s green heritage by launching an Anti-Bushfire campaign in Damongo, the capital of the Savannah Region, on Friday, January 12, 2024. This marks the inaugural visit of the Corporate Affairs and Media Relations Unit of the Forestry Commission to Damongo, with the objective of educating communities on fire quenching techniques and bushfire prevention.
Madam Joyce Ofori, Head of Corporate Affairs and Media Relations at the Forestry Commission, underscored the campaign’s primary goal: stimulating discussions within Damongo and its surroundings on effective bushfire prevention. She clarified that this initiative is part of a comprehensive nationwide plan to raise awareness among farmers and the public in forest-rich communities regarding the prevention of bushfires.
Madam Joyce Ofori highlighted the Commission’s commitment to restoring the country’s degraded forests, citing ongoing projects such as the Green Ghana day, which involves planting millions of trees, and the Shea Landscape Emission Project, focusing on adding shea trees to existing forest reserves.
During their visit to educate communities on bushfires, the Commission actively sought input from participants on effective bushfire prevention strategies. Madam Joyce Ofori expressed satisfaction with the program’s success, acknowledging the community’s active participation and valuable suggestions and questions.
As a stern reminder, Madam Joyce Ofori urged caution during the dry season, emphasizing the ease with which fires can ignite and lead to bushfires. She emphasized that causing bushfires is a serious offense in Ghana, punishable by law with fines or imprisonment upon prosecution. Therefore, she encouraged the public to report any individuals engaged in such activities to the Forestry Commission for appropriate action.
The Anti-Bushfire campaign in Damongo represents a crucial step towards preserving Ghana’s natural landscapes and encourages public involvement in safeguarding the environment from the devastating effects of bushfires. Hon. Musah Karim Kusubari, the MCE for West Gonja, present at the occasion, also emphasized the importance of taking care of forest reserves and called on the public to refrain from bush burning.
