The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has urged calm in response to a viral social media video alleging a major bushfire near the Akosombo Dam.
In a statement shared on their Facebook page, GNFS clarified that the fire is not near the dam as reported and poses no threat to it, assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm.
The service acknowledged the situation and emphasized that its personnel are actively monitoring the fire. However, due to the challenging terrain, they have been unable to access the area to extinguish the fire directly.
“We wish to set the record straight that the fire seen in the video is absolutely nowhere near the Akosombo Dam. However, we acknowledge that the situation is still being closely monitored by our personnel, who have been put on high alert,” they stated.
GNFS further noted that it is collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders to prevent the fire from spreading to residential or commercial areas.
To ensure the safety of the Akosombo Dam and nearby communities, the service assured that personnel have been stationed around the dam to monitor the situation and respond swiftly to any developments.
The service also used the opportunity to remind the public of the importance of bushfire prevention and urged proactive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the importance of bushfire prevention and the need to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents. As part of our efforts to enhance bushfire prevention, we launched the 2024/2025 Bushfire Prevention Campaign, which aims to educate the public on effective bushfire prevention strategies,” they stated.
