Narkwa (C/R), Feb. 14, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has embarked on a fire sensitization

exercise in communities along the Ochie River in the Mfantseman Municipality. The Community-Based Rural Development Project CBRDP is funding the programme, which is aimed at

protecting the river, which is the main source of water for the people of Mfantseman, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam

and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Districts. The GNFS led by Divisional Officer Grade I, Samuel Adabo, had so far undertaken the exercise in 14

communities, including Ekumpoano, Essarkyir, Essuehyia and Narkwa. The fire officers sensitized the people on the need to protect the environment from degradation. At Narkwa, Mr Adabo urged the people to make the prevention of bushfires "everybody's business" in the community. He said bushfires and indiscriminate felling of trees had contributed to the climate change, affecting the

rainfall pattern, which had become erratic and making farming a risky job. Mr Adabo urged farmers, hunters, palm wine tapers and smokers to be careful with how they manage fires

in the bush as the harmattan season was not yet over. He said the GNFS had recruited some youth in the communities for training as fire volunteers and appealed

to the chiefs to give them the necessary support to do their work effectively after the training. Mr Adabo also appealed to District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies to enforce the law on

indiscriminate bush burning, adding that, when culprits were severely punished, it would serve as a deterrent

to others in the community. Mr John Arkorful, Mankessim Station Officer, who talked on domestic fires called on Town and Country

Planning Officers to ensure that structures were constructed according to plan. He said the Service could have helped in controlling some fire disasters in the markets and the homes if

access routes had been provided. Mr Arkorful cautioned the people against over-loading their electrical sockets and advised that care must

be taken when using gas, candles and mosquito coils.