The Kadjebi District Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in partnership with the District Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), have sensitised residents on domestic, bush or wildfire prevention.
Addressing congregants of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church at Menuso, a farming in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region, Mr John Kwame Anane, a Subordinate Officer, advised the congregants to be cautious with leaking gas cylinders.
He advised users to change their damaged regulators, and in cases of severe damage avoid explosions by keeping gas cylinders outside. He also advised residents of the predominantly farming community to create fire belts around their cleared farmlands before burning to avoid bushfires and their devastating effects.
Mr Anane also urged residents to ensure that fires were completely extinguished before leaving them unattended, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords, and dispose of cigarettes and matches properly.
He also called for the formation of a Community Fire Volunteer Corps to help fight fire outbreaks. Mr Richard Kwashie Segbawu, the Chief Field Officer, NCCE, urged the congregants to handle naked fires with outmost care to prevent fire outbreaks.
He said residents, especially farmers, hunters and palm wine tappers should exercise caution when handling fire, particularly in the bush or outdoors, to prevent bushfires. Mr Segbawu said bushfires could have severe and long-term impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human communities.
He named loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats, soil erosion and landslides, air and water pollution, displacement of people and communities, destruction of homes and infrastructure, among others as some of the negative impacts of bushfires.
Mr Raphael Fiave, a Catechist of the church, commended the NCCE and GNFS educative team for their insightful education.
Similar programmes were held at Gyamonome, Ketepii, Akpeloto, Kosamba, Mempeasem, Poase-Cement community, among others.
Source: GNA
