Ho, Feb 21, GNA - The Volta Regional Office of the Forestry Services=

Division of the Forestry Commission, is engaged in a massive campaign to stem the spate of bushfires in the region.

The campaign in collaboration with other stakeholders including, the=

Ghana Fire Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is targe= ted at the youth and traditional leaders in the various communities across th= e region.

Mr. Winfred Kofi Bimah, Regional Forestry Officer, told a press briefing on Friday that all mass communications channels available were being used to get the chiefs to exert their influence and authority while=

the youth were being educated about the bad effects of bush burning. He said the public was also cautioned about the sanctions if caught starting a bushfire. Mr. Bimah said the practice had been a recurring one for the past 14=

years and needed to be tackled holistically.

He suggested that chiefs should be empowered to impose heavy fines o= n perpetrators to stop bush fires. Mr Joy Agbleze, Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, said besides the Fulani Herdsmen who set fires to allow for new succulent shoot of grass for their cattle, other fires were set by farmer= s, hunters and mischievous people for the fun of it.

He called on government to tackle the issue as seriously as it was tackling armed robbery because properties, vegetation and human lives los= t in fires irretrievable. Mr. Shime Fiagome, Principal Programme Officer of the EPA, commended= Ho Polytechnic Branch of Students in Free Enterprise, for their campaigns in=

the Adaklu-Anyigbe District to stop bushfires. 21 Feb 10