The minister made the statement when he delivered a keynote address on behalf of the minister of interior at this year’s launch of the national anti-bushfire campaign in Atebubu.

He said the theme for the celebration ‘bushfire prevention a collective action for sustainable environmental development and a greener Ghana’ is a reminder that environmental protection is not the sole responsibility of government or any institution adding that this requires the active participation of every Ghanaian.

“Bushfires continue to pose serious threat to Ghana’s socio-economic development. Every year uncontrolled bushfires continue to destroy thousands of hectares of farmlands, crops, forest reserves, plantations, grazing land and wildlife habitat” the minister said adding that annual economic loss resulting from this is estimated at between 2-3 percent of gross domestic products.

Hon. Owusu Antwi indicated that bushfires and natural vegetation constitutes one of the country’s most valuable assets saying they serve as carbon zinc, regulate rainfall patterns, protect water bodies, preserve bio-diversity and provide livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians.

The chief fire officer CFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong said her outfit recorded 235 bushfires from January to August this year compared to 631 for the same period last year attributing the 62.8% decline to strong leadership, intensified public education, stakeholder engagement, community sensitization, support from traditional authorities and the tireless efforts of members of the service as well as fire volunteers.

She said the Ghana National Fire Service has trained a total of 1,167 fire volunteers countrywide from January last year to August this year and called on development partners, corporate bodies and individuals to assist equip them for an effective delivery of their mandate.

Farmers groups in Atebubu engaged in a role play that highlighted some of the challenges facing agriculture in the municipality.

Awards were presented to various individuals and institution for their roles in ensuring the reduction of bushfires.

Present were high ranking GNFS officials from the national headquarters, the Bono East and Ashanti regional fire commanders and a number of traditional authorities including the Omanhene of the Atebubu traditional area Ohenpong Dr. Yeboah Asimah.

The President of the Bono East regional house of chiefs Nana Owusu Sakyi III chaired the function.