Recognizing the increasing threat that bushfires pose to farmlands, food security, and community assets, the Fifty Fifty Initiative for Development (FFID) has intensified its efforts to promote sustainable environmental management in rural communities. In collaboration with the *Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Department of Agriculture, FFID organized a comprehensive bushfire management and prevention training in the Kparigu Community under the West Mamprusi Municipality.

The training sought to build local capacity in fire prevention, control, and community-based environmental protection. Participants, including traditional leaders, youth groups, and farmers, were taken through practical sessions on how to create and maintain fire belts, adopt safe burning practices, and establish early warning systems to detect and respond quickly to fire outbreaks.

As part of the intervention, community fire volunteer groups were reactivated and equipped with knowledge and strategies to prevent and manage bushfires effectively. These volunteers now play a vital role in raising awareness and supporting collective community actions to protect farms, natural vegetation, and properties.

Speaking during the training, facilitators from the Ghana National Fire Service commended FFID for its proactive approach and called for continued collaboration to strengthen community resilience against fire disasters. Farmers also expressed appreciation for the initiative, highlighting how uncontrolled bushfires have destroyed farmlands and livelihoods in the past.

The program has already led to a notable reduction in uncontrolled fire outbreaks within FFID’s project areas, contributing to improved farm yields, better land management, and enhanced environmental safety.

Through such interventions, FFID reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding livelihoods, promoting environmental sustainability, and empowering rural communities to take action against threats that undermine their well-being and economic progress.