Interior Minister asks traditional authorities to enact, enforce anti-bushfire byelaws
Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the Minister of Interior has called on traditional authorities to enact and strictly enforce anti-bushfire byelaws in their respective communities, to prevent bushfire outbreaks in the 2026/2027 seasons. The post Interior Minister asks traditional authorities to enact, enforce anti-bushfire byelaws appeared first on Ghana Business News .
Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the Interior Minister, has urged traditional authorities to put into place and rigorously implement anti-bushfire byelaws in their respective communities to curb bushfire outbreaks in the upcoming 2026/2027 seasons. He stressed that the prevention of bushfires is a collective responsibility and directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to bolster their anti-bushfire committees and fire volunteers.
Mr Mubarak expressed these concerns during the launch of the 2026/2027 national bushfire prevention campaign in Atebubu, Bono East Region. The campaign's theme was "Bushfire prevention: a collective action for sustainable environmental development and greener Ghana."
Alhaji Mubarak pointed out that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) alone could not manage the task of combating bushfires, and collective efforts from farmers, hunters, youth groups, and all other individuals were necessary. He cautioned farmers about the handling of naked fire while preparing their farms for planting. Ms Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, the Chief Fire Officer of the GNFS, who launched the campaign, also promoted a collaborative approach to prevent bushfires.
She emphasized that the GNFS needed support from security services, media, traditional authorities, and everyone else to control bushfire outbreaks.
Despite a reduction in fire outbreak cases from 631 in the first eight months of 2025 to 235 in the same period of 2026, Ms Ntow stressed the need for concerted efforts to further reduce the incidents. She praised the dedication of the GNFS personnel and volunteers and commended President John Dramani Mahama and Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak for their commitment to resourcing the GNFS.
Nana Owusu Sakyi III, the Paramount Chief of Bassa Traditional Area and President of Bono East Regional House of Chiefs advised everyone, particularly farmers and agri-business enterprises, to assist the GNFS in preventing bushfires.
Written by urgent.news from Ghana Business News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
