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Carelessness, negligence cause of increased fire outbreak cases in UWR – GNFS
The Upper West Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has attributed the rise in cases of fire outbreaks in the region on the carelessness and negligence of residents and organisations to adhere to fire safety rules.
This, according toUpper West Regional Commander of the GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer II (ACFOII) Isaac Kofi Obosuwas inspite of the numerous door- to – door sensitisation on fire safety by the Command,fire cases this year surpassed the figure for last year.
He said the region recorded a total of 116 fire incidents from January to date alone, as against 106 cases of similar fire outbreaks last year representing a 9.43 percent increment.
ACFO II Obosu further said the situation has led to the loss of property estimated at GH₵1,074,357 whereas the Service was able to salvage an estimate of GH₵1,025,224 items from getting destroyed by fires this year.
“Most of the fire cases recorded this year was as a result of negligence, to fire safety measures by victims, people are throwing garbage, cigarette butts and mishandle of flammable materials anywhere without thinking of the consequences,’’ he said.
The Regional Fire Service Commander was speaking to the Ghanaian Times here yesterday in an exclusive interview on cases of fire outbreaks in the region from last year to date.
“Negligence in fire protection should be taken seriously and avoided at all costs by ensuring regular maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems, we are always on the lookout for some of these things, and what we normally do is to educate the general public in whatever means or form”, he said.
The Upper West Region Fire Commander mentioned carelessness and ignorance while handling electric power appliances were some of the causes of the fires in the region.
‘’We go to the mosques, we go to the churches, lorry parks and markets places to spread the gospel of fire safety but residents and organisations are just reluctant Irrespective of whatever you tell them, they do what they feel is right”, he lamented.
According to ACFO II Obosu, almost all the fire incidents that occurred in the region were preventable if only people adhered to the fire safety protocols.
Fire safety, he said was a shared responsibility and called on the public to cooperate with the Command to carry out its mandate to reduce the occurrences of fire outbreaks in the region.
ACFO II Obosu encouraged various institutions to work with the GNFS when putting up structures to ensure they were fire compliant to prevent fires outbreaks.
He said the Command would continue to create and sustain awareness of the public on fire prevention and safety measures and implored resident to be abreast with all the emergency numbers and also visit the nearest Fire Station within their locality to get their direct emergency numbers.
He has therefore, called on all to join hands with the GNFS and also observe basic safety fire preventive measures to help reduce fire incidents in the region.
FROM RAFIA ABDUL RAZAK WA
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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