The Volta Directorate of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has urged the public to work collectively with the entity to prevent bushfires during the harmattan season.
The ECG explained that preventing bushfires would safeguard the country’s electricity infrastructure and power supply.
The call comes as bushfires, often prevalent during the dry season, pose a significant threat to power infrastructure, including poles, transformers, and cables.
During a public awareness campaign on bushfire prevention in the Volta Region, Madam Eunice Tweneboah-Koduah, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of ECG, emphasised the critical need for community members, leaders, and various stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring the safety of electrical infrastructure.
“We kindly urge all community members and leaders to join hands with the ECG to ensure safety during this period,” she stated.
The ECG particularly cautioned farmers, hunters, and palm wine tappers, who often work in or near bushes should be extra careful not to light the bushes.
“If you must set a fire, ensure you monitor it closely to prevent it from spreading to nearby electricity poles, cables, or transformers. Carelessness can have far-reaching consequences, including widespread power outages.”
The public was also advised on how to respond when encountering bushfires near electricity infrastructure.
“If you spot a fire near power installations, act swiftly by trying to extinguish it if safe to do so or contact the Ghana National Fire Service immediately. Timely action can prevent severe damage and avoid disruptions to power supply,” the representative added.
The ECG highlighted that bushfires causing damage to electricity infrastructure could result in extended power outages until repairs are completed, affecting homes, businesses, and essential services.
“Remember, such disruptions can leave entire community without power for days, causing inconvenience and economic losses,” the PRO cautioned.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has also intensified its warnings about the risks of bushfires during this harmattan season.
They have called on the public to exercise vigilance and adhere to fire safety measures, reiterating the shared responsibility of preventing fires to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
The ECG and GNFS are urging Ghanaians to prioritise fire prevention as a collective responsibility.
By exercising caution and vigilance, communities can protect vital electricity infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply during the harmattan season.
GNA