Awutu-Akrabong (C/R), June 12, GNA - The Central Regional Fire Officer, Mr Kru Agyarko-Attobrah, has appealed to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and public spirited persons to contribute cash and working gears to support various fire volunteer groups in the region. Some of the materials the volunteers require to encourage them to make enable them to sacrifice towards effective prevention of bushfires and protection of the country's forests included, cutlasses, Wellington boots and torch-lights.

Mr Agyarko-Attobrah was speaking at a ceremony at which, leaders of a Germany-based NGO, Afrika Wiederauffors Tungsverein E.V., and a sister organisation in Ghana, Africa Reforestation Union (ARU) presented four million cedis to the Awutu-Akrabong fire prevention and fire fighting group on Wednesday.

According to the two leaders, Michael Yao Tomfeah, and Mr Emmanuel K.K. Mensah, their action which followed the impressive turn-out and the great enthusiasm displayed by members of the Akrabong fire volunteer group at their recent passing out ceremony, was to motivate members of the group to protest natural forest resources in the area.

Mt Tomfeah and Mr Mensah pledged to assist members of the volunteer group to form branches of the NGOs in the community to assist in afforestation programmes in forest reserves in the area and also help introduce environmental-friendly farming practices.

On his part, the Agona District Coordinating Director, Mr G.B.L. Siilo, expressed government's appreciation to the two sister NGOs for their environmentally-friendly gesture, and advised leaders of the fire volunteer group to ensure meaningful use of the assistance to move the group forward.

Mr Siilo assured them of Agona District Assembly's preparedness to provide them with some of their working tools. Mr Bartholomew K. Nketsiah, Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Fire Officer, charged members of the group to educate people in and around Akrabong on fire prevention aspect of their work than to wait for fire disasters to occurs before exhibiting their skills and knowledge.