Dachio (UE), June 17, GNA - Mr. Patrick Akake, Upper East Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), has expressed concern about the rampant and high rate of wild and domestic fires in the Region, especially during the dry season. He called on the people to support NADMO in the discharge of its work, saying that disaster management is not the sole responsibility of the organisation. Mr. Akake was speaking at the passing out ceremony for a 73-member fire volunteer squad, at Dachio in the Bolgatanga Municipality on Wednesday. A two-week training was organised for the fire volunteers by Dachio South Women Farmers Association (DSWFA), a civil society organization with support from Ibis West Africa. Mr. Akake called on all Ghanaians to get involved in the fight against global warming and desist from bush burning and felling of trees indiscriminately.

He asked the volunteers be vigilant and report individuals or groups of people who would engage in practices that would degrade the environment, to officials of the Forestry or NADMO. He asked the people to plant more tress to prevent erosion and desertification. The Municipal Fire Officer, Mr. Dominic Denko asked the volunteers to impart the knowledge and experience acquired at the training to members of their communities. The Regional Deputy Fire officer, Ms Diana Atia said fire volunteerism had its origin from the 1983 bush fire disaster that spread to many villages and towns in Ghana. The Programme Manager of DSWFA, Mr. Collins Atua stated that the aimed at sensitising participants on the need to protect the environment by avoiding bush fires and tree cutting and to deepen their awareness on the depletion of the ozone layer, which leads to climate change. He appealed to the Municipal District Assembly and the Forestry Commission to assist the volunteers with logistics and tree seedlings. 17 June 10 Attention recipients, item 03 ends first cast.