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Farmers cautioned about use of fire
Farmers across the country have been urged to exercise extreme caution in the use of fire, as deceptive weather conditions threaten to trigger bushfire outbreaks despite recent rainfall in parts of Ghana.
Mr Thomas Kwabena Bonsu, Executive Director of the Kumasi-based Fire and Bush Burning Prevention Advocacy, issued the warning in a public statement responding to alerts from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet).
He noted that while isolated rains may give the impression of reduced fire risk, the underlying heat wave and dry conditions remain dangerously persistent.
“The rains we’re seeing in some areas are not enough to suppress the high temperatures and dry vegetation,” Mr Bonsu cautioned. “This is a critical time for farmers to be vigilant. A single spark could devastate entire farms.”
According to GMet, temperatures are expected to rise sharply in the coming days, with the approaching harmattan season further intensifying the heat. The agency has advised the public to prepare for scorching conditions and to avoid activities that could ignite fires.
Mr Bonsu identified common bushfire triggers such as burning for land clearing, hunting, smoking, and cooking on farms.
He stressed that farmers must take GMet’s warnings seriously and adopt preventive measures to protect their crops, livelihoods, and surrounding communities.
“Bushfires don’t just destroy farms—they erase years of investment and threaten food security,” he said.
He also called for stronger public support for fire safety education campaigns, urging community leaders, media outlets, and civil society groups to help raise awareness about responsible fire use both in homes and in the bush.
The Fire and Bush Burning Prevention Advocacy organisation continues to work closely with GMet and other stakeholders to promote climate resilience and fire prevention across Ghana.
From Kingsley E. Hop, Kumasi
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A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
