The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Volta and Oti Regions has intensified public education in bushfire-prone communities as part of measures to protect electricity infrastructure during the dry Harmattan season.
The exercise, which targeted communities vulnerable to bushfires, was carried out in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to heighten awareness on the causes of bushfires, their consequences, and their impact on ECG installations and service delivery to customers.
As part of the community education, ECG staff also undertook practical preventive measures by clearing bushes around electricity poles and installations to create fire belts.
A fire belt is a bare, low-ringed strip of land measuring between two to five metres wide around an electricity pole. It serves as a barrier to prevent bushfires from spreading to poles, cables, and transformers.
Speaking during the exercise in the Nkwanta District, the District Engineer, Mr. Bernard Addo, commended communities such as Odomi, Odomi Camp, Keri, Kai Camp, Abrewankor, Kromoase, and Shari for their active support in clearing vegetation around electricity poles within their communities. He noted that community involvement is critical to sustaining bushfire prevention efforts.
In Dambai, the District Manager, Madam Mary Odame, expressed appreciation to the District Union for mobilising staff to participate in the bushfire education and fire belt creation exercise.
She also thanked the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), community leaders, and Assembly Members for their collaboration and commitment to protecting ECG installations.
The Regional General Manager, Ms. Christina Jatoe-Kaleo also emphasised that bushfire education is essential, as most fire outbreaks are caused by human activities such as indiscriminate burning, farming practices, and careless disposal of fire sources. According to her, educating communities helps prevent avoidable power outages, reduces damage to critical infrastructure, ensures the safety of lives and property, and promotes reliable electricity supply.
ECG and NCCE encouraged residents to take collective responsibility in preventing bushfires by avoiding indiscriminate burning and regularly clearing vegetation around electricity installations.
The collaboration, they noted, reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding national assets and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during the dry season.
