New fire post established at Ministries

A new fire post has been inaugurated at the Ministries as part of measures to improve security and fire safety in the area.

The station, which is located on the premises of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) and the Audit Service, is meant to ensure rapid and adequate response to fire and protection for employees and properties within the Ministries enclave.

The inauguration was performed by the Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior, Mr Samuel Amankwa, on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani.

It brings to 27 the number of fire stations inaugurated across the country since the last quarter of 2015. 

Collaboration 

In his address, the Head of the Civil Service, Nana Agyekum Dwamena, said the inauguration of the station in the area was a collaborative effort between the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Civil Service.

According to him, the positioning of the station was strategic in that it would complement the efforts of the Fire Station at Parliament House and other service stations around to prevent fires anytime they occurred.

“The officers at this station will undertake fire and allied peril preventive measures such as inspection and advice on purchase and use of fire equipment, fire drill and alertness, education and physical security support to this area,” he said.

He assured the GNFS of maximum cooperation and continued collaboration to enhance its activities.    

‘Support campaign’ 

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Bani called for the support of Ghanaians for the activities of the GNFS, especially in its educational campaigns across the country.

He called on Ghanaians to be conscious of their safety in order to prevent disasters.

The Chief Fire Officer, Mr Albert Brown Gaisie, stated that inappropriate fire protection in homes and at workplaces had contributed largely to a lot of fires in the country.

“A lot of documents and files always get burnt at institutions and companies due to the lack of proper fire protection at such places,” he said. 

Mr Gaisie emphasised the need to ensure the provision of emergency fire exits in homes and at workplaces.

“Often, we realise that people pack items which turn to block these exits at the offices and homes,” he said, adding that it usually hindered fire personnel from putting out fire safely.

According to him, the service had now moved away from reactive fire prevention to being proactive.