The volunteers, who underwent a three-day intensive training on bushfire suppression strategies, creation of fire belts, bushfire laws and regulations, among others, are expected to serve as frontline agents in community fire education, early response, and protection of farms, homes, and natural vegetation. 

The initiative is funded by the Awaken Trees Foundation of Austria under the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration for Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Project (FMNR4WELIP), aimed at safeguarding the environment and ensuring food security. 

Mr Sumaila S. Saaka, the Executive Director of FONAR, speaking at the ceremony at Kparaboug, said Ghana loses an estimated 684,000 hectares of savannah, forest, and farmland annually to bushfires, with the five northern regions alone accounting for over 372,600 hectares. 

“These figures are likely to increase due to climate pressures and poor bushfire management practices,” he said. 

He noted that more than 90 per cent of bushfires were deliberately set during the dry season for hunting, land clearing, pest control, or charcoal production, while others are caused accidentally through negligence. 

Mr Saaka praised the two communities for significantly reducing bushfire incidents in the last two years, describing their success as “the envy of nearby communities” and a testament to the progress of the FMNR4WELIP project. 

He reminded the volunteers that although their role was critical, they were not professional firefighters, but community leaders tasked with protecting lives, property, and natural resources. 

“Your core mission is to preserve life, protect property, and safeguard your communities,” he said. 

He urged government to review PNDCL 229, the current bushfire prevention law, to align it with modern community-based fire management practices. 

ADOI Awuni Akolgo, the Nabdam District Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, lauded FONAR for the initiative, noting that the volunteers would provide essential first response during emergencies and help build a culture of safety in the district. 

“With the training and skills, you have acquired, you are now equipped to make a real difference,” he told the graduating volunteers. 

He highlighted challenges such as limited resources and unpredictable fire outbreaks but expressed confidence in the volunteers’ ability to overcome them. 

He called for community support, urging residents to report hazards, participate in fire drills, and cooperate with the volunteers. 

Mr Namor K. Michael, Forest Range Manager for the Nabdam District, noted that bushfires destroy not only vegetation but also soil organisms critical to ecological balance. 

“Whenever fire sweeps through the bush, it destroys our own health as well,” he said, urging the volunteers to serve as fire ambassadors in their communities and help protect forest reserves for future generations. 

Mr Joseph Nyagre Yenpusak, Assembly Member for the Kugri-Kontintabig Electoral Area, commended the volunteers for their sacrifice and pledged to lead a sustained sensitisation campaign in neighbouring communities. 

He cited frequent bushfires that have destroyed electric poles, farms, and tree-planting projects, adding: “The role of the fire volunteers is very essential, and FONAR must be commended for coming out with this initiative.” 

Mr Francis Yenwona Tobig, the District Chief Executive, commended FONAR and the volunteers for protecting the environment at a time when rampant bushfires were destroying farms across the district. 

He said the Assembly was reviewing and finalising bylaws to strengthen environmental protection and expressed readiness to partner with organisations working on climate and forest conservation. 

“We are gradually being pushed to a point where everything becomes expensive because of our own activities. The volunteers must continue to protect our environment so our young seedlings and tree species can survive.”