General News of Monday, 25 January 2010

Source: GNA

Chief calls for Ministry for bushfires

Fiaso (B/A), Jan. 25, GNA - Nana Effah Boakye, Krontihene of Fiaso in the Techiman Municipality, has called on the Government to create a separate Ministry for anti-bushfire squads to make the control of bushfires more effective.

He said the establishment of permanent offices throughout the country would create a platform for the training of the squads all-year-round to combat fire outbreaks.

Nana Boakye who is the Acting Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of fire volunteer squads, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Fiaso that the measure would also create employment for the youth in rural areas. He appealed to District Assemblies to revamp dormant fire volunteer squads and motivate them to perform satisfactorily. In a related development, Mr. Stephen Takyi, Assembly Member for Bamiri Electoral Area in the Municipality, advised residents to guard against bush burning as they prepare their farms.

He told the GNA this would help avert the alarming rate at which bush-fires destroyed lives and properties in the area. Mr. Takyi urged the people to monitor the movements of group hunters, honey extractors and palm wine tappers who operate in the area.