The District Chief Executive for Afigya Kwabre, Mr. Kwaku Oppong-Kyekyeku Kaakyire, has appealed to the people to shake off apathy and work together to bring development to the area.

He said nobody should sit on the sidelines when they should get actively involved in efforts to make things better.

Mr Kaakyire, who was presenting certificates and identification cards to 37 fire volunteers at Wawase, said they ought to rediscover their self-help spirit to complement what the assembly was doing.

He expressed concern about the situation where the communities expected the government to provide every single development need and said that must change.

Mr. Oppong-Kyekyeku said the communities should take responsibility and gave the assurance that the assembly would stand with those who who would take steps to tackle their felt needs.

He praised the fire volunteers for the critical role they were playing to check wildfires and protect food crop farms.

The group was formed in 1983 and he said the enduring commitment and sense of voluntarism of its members had been admirable and appealed to the youth to join the fire squad to take over from the ageing members.

The District Fire Officer, Mr. Adanka Awaafo, urged the volunteers to step up fire safety education campaign and work with farmers to prevent wildfires.

He asked them to share their experiences and skills with people in other communities.

Oboadum Kusi Antwi, the chief of Wawase, pledged to support the volunteers with the basic tools to effectively perform their task.