The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has rolled out its 2024–2025 Bushfire Prevention Campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing the rising incidents of bushfires across the country. This year’s campaign is themed, “Effective Bushfire Prevention: Stakeholders’ Role in Ensuring a Greener Tomorrow.”
Bushfire incidents have seen a significant increase, with 658 cases reported by October 2024, compared to 569 during the same period in 2023. The GNFS attributes 99% of these fires to human activities, including arson driven by revenge or unpaid debts and traditional practices like palm wine tapping, particularly prevalent in the northern regions. Natural causes remain a minor contributor to these incidents.
Ghana’s efforts align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a United Nations initiative designed to minimize disaster-related losses and strengthen resilience through improved disaster risk management.
Campaign Launch Highlights
At the launch event, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Julius A. Kuunuor underscored the importance of community and stakeholder involvement in bushfire prevention. He called on farmers, local leaders, and other key players to collaborate with the GNFS to safeguard the environment and ensure a sustainable future.
The event also showcased advancements in firefighting capacity. A Wildfire Rapid Intervention Vehicle, provided by FIRE AID and International Development UK, was unveiled to bolster Ghana’s bushfire response efforts. Additionally, firefighting and extrication equipment worth £113,000, also donated by FIRE AID, is awaiting clearance at Tema Port.
Government Commitment
Representing the government, Hon. Henry Quartey, Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to disaster risk reduction. He handed over 19 pickup trucks, four command vehicles, three Prado SUVs, and one Land Cruiser to enhance GNFS’s rapid response capabilities, especially in forested and high-risk areas.
Comparative Bushfire Statistics (January to October)
A review of bushfire cases from 2022 to 2024 highlights fluctuations across the months:
| Month | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 432 | 227 | 209 |
| February | 224 | 181 | 298 |
| March | 78 | 84 | 65 |
| April | 26 | 55 | 26 |
| May | 4 | 10 | 9 |
| June | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| July | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| August | 11 | 4 | 9 |
| September | 3 | 3 | 31 |
| October | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 791 | 569 | 658 |
Looking Ahead
The GNFS’s 2024–2025 campaign aims to build on past efforts by addressing human-induced causes of bushfires, increasing public awareness, and strengthening rapid response mechanisms. With the active involvement of all stakeholders and continued government support, the GNFS remains optimistic about reducing bushfire incidents and protecting Ghana’s environment for future generations.
