By Jones Anlimah
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Volta and Oti Regions has stepped up public education in bushfire-prone communities to protect electricity infrastructure during the dry Harmattan season.
The sensitisation exercise, carried out in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), targeted communities vulnerable to bushfires. It sought to raise awareness on the causes and dangers of bushfires, as well as their impact on ECG installations and the delivery of reliable power to customers.
As part of the exercise, ECG staff undertook practical preventive measures by clearing bushes around electricity poles and installations to create fire belts. The fire belts—bare strips of land measuring between two and five metres around poles, serve as barriers to prevent the spread of bushfires to cables, transformers, and other critical installations.
Speaking during the exercise in the Nkwanta District, the District Engineer, Mr Bernard Addo, commended communities including Odomi, Odomi Camp, Keri, Kai Camp, Abrewankor, Kromoase, and Shari for their active participation in clearing vegetation around electricity poles. He stressed that community involvement is key to sustaining bushfire prevention efforts and protecting power infrastructure.
In Dambai, the District Manager, Madam Mary Odame, expressed appreciation to the District Union for mobilising staff to support the exercise. She also acknowledged the contribution of the NCCE, traditional authorities, and Assembly Members, describing their collaboration as crucial to safeguarding ECG installations in the area.
The Regional General Manager of ECG for the Volta and Oti Regions, Ms Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, underscored the importance of bushfire education, noting that most fire outbreaks are caused by human activities such as indiscriminate burning, certain farming practices, and the careless disposal of fire sources.
According to her, continuous education of communities helps prevent avoidable power outages, reduces damage to critical infrastructure, enhances the safety of lives and property, and promotes a reliable electricity supply, especially during the dry season.
ECG and the NCCE have therefore urged residents to take collective responsibility in preventing bushfires by avoiding indiscriminate burning and regularly clearing vegetation around electricity installations.
They noted that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to protecting national assets and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the Harmattan period.
