The Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has emphasized that preventing bushfires is a collective responsibility. He made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, at the launch of the 2026/2027 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign in the Bono East Region. The campaign's theme is "Bushfire Prevention: A Collective Action for Sustainable Environmental Development and Greener Ghana."
Muntaka Mubarak directed the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen their anti-bushfire committees and fire volunteer groups. He stressed that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of fighting bushfires, and collective efforts are required from farmers, hunters, youth groups, and the general public. The Minister also admonished farmers to exercise caution when handling naked fire while preparing their farms for planting.
The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the GNFS, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, launched the campaign and called for a collaborative approach to preventing bushfires. She said the GNFS requires support from the security services, the media, traditional authorities, and the general public to control bushfire outbreaks in the country. CFO Ntow Sarpong noted that although fire outbreaks nationwide had decreased in 2026, concerted efforts are needed to bring the numbers down to the barest minimum.
According to CFO Ntow Sarpong, the GNFS recorded 631 fire outbreaks across the country from January to August 2025, which reduced to 235 during the same period in 2026. She commended personnel of the GNFS and fire volunteers for their dedication to fighting fire outbreaks across the country. The CFO also lauded the contributions of President John Dramani Mahama and Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak towards resourcing the GNFS to deliver on its mandate.
Nana Owusu Sakyi III, Paramount Chief of the Bassa Traditional Area and President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, advised everyone, particularly farmers and agribusiness enterprises, to support the GNFS in preventing bushfires. The traditional authorities were urged to enact and strictly enforce anti-bushfire bye-laws in their respective communities to prevent bushfire outbreaks during the 2026/2027 season.
The National Bushfire Prevention Campaign aims to promote collective action for sustainable environmental development and a greener Ghana. The campaign seeks to bring together stakeholders, including traditional authorities, farmers, and the general public, to prevent bushfires. The launch of the campaign is part of efforts to reduce fire outbreaks and promote environmental sustainability in Ghana.
Key stakeholders, including the Interior Minister, traditional authorities, and the GNFS, are working together to prevent bushfires and promote environmental sustainability. The collaboration aims to reduce fire outbreaks and their impact on the environment and communities. By working together, stakeholders can promote a safer and more sustainable environment for all.
Key points
- The Interior Minister has called on traditional authorities to enact and enforce anti-bushfire bye-laws to prevent bushfire outbreaks during the 2026/2027 season.
- The Ghana National Fire Service recorded 235 fire outbreaks from January to August 2026, down from 631 during the same period in 2025.
- The National Bushfire Prevention Campaign aims to promote collective action for sustainable environmental development and a greener Ghana.
