Sekondi, Dec 12, GNA- Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, on Friday expressed concern about the high incidence of bushfire in the region.

Inaugurating the Regional Fire Service Committee in Sekondi, she said the government is not happy about the situation.

Madam Horner-Sam said many educational programmes organized by the Regional Fire Service to educate rural communities have not been able to educate the people about the dangers of bushfires.

She said lack of proper town planning and haphazard development of towns are some of the factors that are making fire prevention and management extremely difficult.

Madam Horner-Sam noted that access roads to some houses and structures are virtually non-existent and in other areas, people have developed structures on water hydrants.

She said it would require full cooperation from government departments, private developers, social groups and individuals to handle these problems. Lt-Col Alex Latey Ayeh (RTD)), Chairman of the National Fire Service Council, said the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Act makes provision for the establishment of Regional Fire Service Committees.

He said the main function of the Committees is to advise the Council on matters relating to the functions of the service in the region.

Lt-Col Ayeh said it would be made mandatory for anybody wanting to put large structures to seek approval and advice from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) about fire and safety devices.

He said this would help prevent faulty electrical wiring that is frequent cause of fire outbreaks.

Lt-Col Ayeh said the government is considering constructing barracks for personnel of the GNFS to make it easier to mobilize them in times of emergencies.

Mr Emmanuel Atenga, the Chief Fire Officer, asked the Regional Fire Service Committee to monitor the activities of the GNFS personnel in the region.

He said blocking of roads for funerals and social functions often hinder the operation of the service especially during emergencies.

Mr Atenga suggested to the district assemblies to inform the service about closure of roads for social functions on weekends so that it would be conversant with routes in case of emergency.