This year’s national launch of the anti-bushfire campaign 2026-2027 will be held in Atebubu in the Bono East region on Friday September 25, 2026 under the theme “bushfire prevention: a collective action for sustainable environmental development and a greener Ghana”.
This was disclosed by the Director of Rural Fires of the Ghana National Fire Service, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Frederick Ohemeng at a stakeholder meeting in Atebubu.
He said bushfires are at the heart of depleting forest cover fueling climate change with adverse consequences for food production, lives and livelihoods.
DCFO Ohemeng therefore called for an increased collaboration with stakeholders for a successful launch of the event and a sustained public education as well as enforcement of laws on bushfires.
He singled out for praise, Station Officer I Zakaria Kabore of the Atebubu fire station for his hard work and dedication to duty.
Mr. Joseph Asante, Project Manager of Tropenbos Ghana, implementors of the Fire-Smart Landscape Governance Programme which also provided funding for the engagement pledged the continuous support of his outfit to the GNFS to enabler it effectively combat bushfires.
Participants identified inadequate public education and the lack of punitive laws for offenders as some factors militating against the fight against bushfires whiles drawing a correlation between the activities of Fulani herdsman and wildfires.
The meeting also discussed the formation of a planning committee for the event and the way forward.
Stakeholders were drawn from the clergy, assemblymen, the municipal assembly, relevant government departments, farmers, environmental actors, security services, traditional authorities and the media.
Nana Amoako Djan, Dabehene of the Atebubu Traditional area who chaired the function indicated the willingness of the Traditional Council to make land available to the GNFS for the construction of training facilities.
The GNFS team which also comprised of ACFO II Edwin Tettey Nartey and ADO Winfred Cady Amegbor together with officials from the regional and district offices also paid courtesy calls on the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Masud Musa Ayaaba Thomas and the Atebubu traditional Council.
