Amoakohene Pushes For Fire Safety Education In Homes
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has raised concerns about access to fire education in various households.
During a fire drill demonstration by the Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service, he questioned how many homes in Ghana have fire extinguishers and how many people know how to use them.
Dr Amoakohene raised the concern after getting a first-hand experience using a fire extinguisher for the first time when he, together with members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), engaged officers and men of the Command.
According to the Minister, the experience was priceless.
“The chilling sensation in my hands as I discharged it, and the fulfilment of seeing the fire put out, was priceless. It reinforced an important question: how many homes have fire extinguishers, and how many people actually know how to use them?” he wrote in a Facebook post after the engagement.
He expressed his appreciation for the courage, sacrifice and commitment of personnel of the Fire Service to protecting lives and property across the Ashanti Region and Ghana.
Dr Amoakohene commended the Regional Commander, DCFO I Peter Tetteh, for innovations being introduced, including the Market Fire Quiz, collaboration with the National Security Bureau on a call centre and real-time CCTV monitoring, as well as the weekly fire incident updates and trend analysis.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by ageing equipment and said the government is committed to retooling the Ghana National Fire Service with 100 new fire tenders, but stressed the need to maintain and maximise current equipment while awaiting the intervention.
He also lauded MMDCEs who continue to support the Service through infrastructure, fire posts and other interventions, noting that the Regional Coordinating Council will work with the Kumasi Metropolitan and Ejisu Municipal Assemblies to conclude their outstanding commitments.
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Regional Administration to supporting the Fire Service to intensify public education while strengthening enforcement of fire safety standards, adding that preparedness, prevention and technology must be prioritised because “fire does not announce its coming.”
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