The Ghana National Fire (GNFS) Service is stepping up efforts to ensure the citizenry is well educated on fire prevention. In the latest in its efforts, the service is collaborating with schools and other institutions for knowledge transfer. The Winneba Municipal Office of the GNFS in collaboration with the Municipal Directorate of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has carried out a one-month intensive fire prevention education in schools in the Effutu Municipal and the Awutu/Senya administrative areas. More than 2,000 school children in the two districts benefited from the exercise, which was initiated by GNAT. The schools, which benefited included Winneba Senior High School, Senya Cluster of Basic Schools, Senya Senior High School, Primary and Junior High Schools in Bawjiase Township, Awutu-Bontrase D.C and Junior High Schools. The rest were Kasoa Cluster of Basic Schools, Jei-Krodua Cluster of primary and Junior High Schools, Obrachire Senior High and primary schools, Ayensuako D.C Primary and Junior High Schools at Awutu-Beraku and basic schools in the Effutu rural. Addressing school children and teachers at Awutu-Bontrase, Mr Benjamin K. Nketsiah, Municipal Fire Officer cautioned them on consequences of both domestic and bush fires. He said indiscriminate setting of bush fire could cause severe havoc in virgin forest reserves in and around Bontrase and thereby destroying the eco-system. Mr Nketsiah said there was the need to preserve forest reserves in order for the nation to maintain and develop wildlife species as well as medicinal plants to facilitate national development. He expressed appreciation to GNAT for initiating the programme and hoped that it would not be a nine day’s wonder but develop it to benefit more children and the country as whole. Mr Nketsiah also charged school children in the area to educate their parents and guardians on the knowledge they had acquired, especially those in the rural communities so that they would be able to guard against rampant domestic and environmental fire disasters. Madam Lily Otoo, GNAT Secretary for the area thanked the Municipal Fire Officer for honouring the invitation and said the collaboration would be sustained to offer periodic education on fire prevention to schools in the Effutu Municipality and Awutu-Senya District. She said GNAT initiated the programme to enhance the safety of the children, and the entire Ghanaian society. Source: GNA