Ghana Interior Minister: Bushfire Bye-Laws Enforcement by Traditional Authorities

• Ghana's Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, urged traditional authorities to enact and strictly enforce anti-bushfire bye-laws in their communities.
• The directive was issued during the launch of the 2026/2027 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign in Atebubu, Bono East Region, on September 27, 2026.
• The campaign emphasizes collective responsibility, with calls for farmers, hunters, youth groups, and MMDAs to strengthen prevention efforts.
• Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong reported a decrease in nationwide fire outbreaks from 631 in January-August 2025 to 235 in the same period of 2026.
• Traditional leaders and the Ghana National Fire Service stressed the need for broad public and institutional support to control bushfire incidents.

The Ghanaian government has initiated a significant push for enhanced bushfire prevention, with the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, urging traditional authorities to enact and rigorously enforce anti-bushfire bye-laws within their communities.

The Ghanaian government has initiated a significant push for enhanced bushfire prevention, with the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, urging traditional authorities to enact and rigorously enforce anti-bushfire bye-laws within their communities. This directive aims to curb outbreaks during the upcoming 2026/2027 season. The call was made during the launch of the 2026/2027 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign, held in Atebubu, Bono East Region, on September 27, 2026.

Speaking through the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, Minister Mubarak underscored that preventing bushfires is a shared responsibility. He also instructed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to bolster their existing anti-bushfire committees and fire volunteer groups. The campaign itself is themed "Bushfire Prevention: A Collective Action for Sustainable Environmental Development and Greener Ghana," reflecting a broad commitment to environmental protection.

The emphasis on traditional authorities enacting and enforcing anti-bushfire laws highlights a critical aspect of local governance and community-level regulation in Ghana. Minister Muntaka Mubarak stressed that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) cannot manage the extensive challenge of bushfire suppression alone, necessitating collective efforts from various segments of society. This includes farmers, hunters, youth groups, and the general public, all of whom are expected to contribute to the national prevention strategy.

Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, who officially launched the campaign, echoed this sentiment, advocating for a collaborative approach to prevention. She articulated the GNFS's need for robust support from security services, media organizations, traditional authorities, and the wider public to effectively control bushfire incidents across the nation. Farmers, in particular, received a specific admonition from the Minister to exercise extreme caution when using naked flames during farm preparation activities, a common cause of outbreaks.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Chief Fire Officer Ntow Sarpong noted a positive trend in fire outbreak statistics for 2026. She reported a significant reduction in nationwide fire incidents, with 235 outbreaks recorded from January to August 2026, a substantial decrease compared to the 631 incidents reported during the same period in 2025. While commending the dedication of GNFS personnel and fire volunteers for their efforts, she emphasized the continued need for concerted action to further minimize these numbers.

The Chief Fire Officer also acknowledged the instrumental contributions of President John Dramani Mahama and Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak in providing essential resources to the Ghana National Fire Service, enabling it to fulfill its mandate more effectively. Reinforcing the call for broad participation, Nana Owusu Sakyi III, the Paramount Chief of the Bassa Traditional Area and President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, advised all citizens, especially those involved in agriculture and agribusiness enterprises, to actively support the GNFS in its bushfire prevention initiatives. This collective engagement is seen as vital for protecting livelihoods and the environment.

Lawyers advising clients in agriculture, land management, or rural enterprises in Ghana should monitor the enactment and enforcement of new or stricter anti-bushfire bye-laws by traditional authorities and MMDAs, as non-compliance could lead to penalties and operational disruptions.

Source: Original reporting via GNA