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3,678 fires recorded in first half of 2022 – Fire Service
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the first half of the year attended to a total of 3,678 outbreaks in the country.
The Service said these fire outbreaks are estimated in terms of cost and damage to property at GHS30,197,948.20.
This is a rise against the same period last year with 3,030 fires with a corresponding estimated cost of damage to property at GHS24,236,113.
The GNFS also indicated that the cost of items salvaged from these fires amounted to GHS7,997,729,00 for the period under review as against GHS528,632.00 for the same period in 2021.
“An average of 20 fires were recorded in a day during the first half year of 2022 as against 17 for the same period in 2021. Some 35 lives were unfortunately lost in 2022 through these fires.
“Some 185 deaths were recorded through road traffic collision incidents as against 2022 for the same period in 2021.”
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of 722 fires which represent 19.63% of the total fires for the first half year of 2022.
It was followed closely by Greater Acera Region with 690 which represent 18.76% while Volta Region recorded the lowest figure of l6 fires representing 0.44%.
The Service noted that some of the causes of these fires are “electrical faults which stem from circuit overload; arcing: short circuits; inferior cables; compromised or poorly done electrical installations; over-aged wires and earthing problems: Gas leakages; unattended cooking: unattended lit candles; mosquito coils: matches und poorly done hot works from welding and deliberate acts.
“The fires recorded suggest a downward trend from 1090 in January to 342 in June 2022.
The high number of out-on-arrival cases of 1,091 also suggests that the education and sensitization programs of the Service are impacting positively on the general public as they are now able to manage small fires.”
It has, however, attributed an increase in the fires to the harsh harmattan weather experienced in the first three months of the year 2022 and non-adherence to basic fire safety precautions, especially in our domestic settings.
Source: Myjoyonline
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
