The Wenchi Municipal Office of the Ghana Fire Service has embarked on an outreach programme to educate the people on the effects and dangers of wildfires to help prevent the destruction of the ecology and personal properties.
Mr Barima Boachie, Divisional Officer Grade Two and the Municipal Fire Officer, said a team of fire officers would review bye-laws on bush fires so that the people would not fall victim to fire disasters during the harmattan.
He told the Ghana News Agency that the measures were to ensure that the municipality was free from bushfires during the harmattan season.
The fire officer said the programme, which started about a month ago, had reached many communities and was expected to be completed soon.
He said the second phase of the programme would begin soon and that people who would flout the laws by setting bush fires would be dealt with accordingly.
Mr Boachie disclosed that as at the end of last year, about 12 bush fire outbreaks were recorded whilst 26 domestic fires including motor accidents were also recorded within the municipality.
The municipal fire officer said most of the domestic fire outbreaks were caused by electric faults and a few by candle lights.
He attributed this to public failure to adhere to advice by a fire safety team on a house-to-house programme to educate the public on the use of electrical appliances and other equipment at home.
Mr Boachie expressed concern about the lack of support from some community leaders towards ensuring the success of the programme during and after the harmattan season.
He said fire prevention needed the support of every individual and advised the general public to maintain the spirit of volunteerism and support for the Ghana National Fire Service.