The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Command in the Central Region has as part of its laid down mechanisms to curb the region's alarming upsurge of bushfires, constituted a ninety-three (93) member Bushfire Volunteer Squad at Agona Swedru in the Agona West Municipality in the Central Region aimed at putting a halt to the menace.

The much spoke about situation has over the years claimed dozens of innocent lives coupled with the destruction of numerous properties in the region hence the need to keenly manage it.

Persons who obliged to constitute this Bushfire Volunteer Squad hails from communities like Agona Swedru, Gomoa Akwamu, Gomoa Afranse, and Gomoa Obuasi and appear natives of these areas.

The group emerge to add to the over 1,000 Bushfire Volunteering Teams scattered across the Central Region.

These individuals prior to their inauguration were taken through a four-months intensive training by Fire Officers of the Region on basic firefighting, fire prevention, the use of fire extinguisher, physical training, and foot drills.

ACFO1 John Amarlia Amartey, the Central Regional Fire Commander in his address at the inaugural ceremony elaborated that bushfire poses a high threat not only to the country's beautiful landscapes but also to the  homes and livelihood of the Ghanaian citizenry.

He noted that Ghana, like many other countries in recent years have been experiencing more frequent and severe bushfires with devastating consequences which turns to harm the country's wild life in its destruction to forests and farm lands, as it destroys the local economy to affect the total development of the country.

The Central Regional Fire Commander further highlighted bushfires to be a greatly domineering figure in the Region's annually recorded incidences which are mostly experienced at areas like Winneba, Mankessim, Agona Swedru, Cape Coast, Elmina among others.

Thus the sheer importance of the Volunteer Squad which is in to protect the community and its natural resources from the devastating effect of bushfires.

Hon. Evan Addison-Coleman, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Agona West Municipality having graced the occasion, hailed the District's Fire Command for its unwavering efforts in combating fire incidences in the locality over the years, taking into consideration the vast nature of the catchment area of their operations.

Augustina Aidoo, a member of the inaugurated Bushfire Volunteer Squad equally shared her delight over the impactful knowledge she has acquired during their four-month training regime by the Fire Command which has better enlightened her on fire safety.

The ceremony which pulled to it highly revered personalities equally saw Nana Kweku Essieni V, the Regent and Ninfahene of Agona Swedru as well as the Director of Bushfire Directorate of the GNFS, DCFO Owusu Adjei all gracing the event.

Source//Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan