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GNFS honours ACFO II Anthony Mawuko after 37 years of distinguished service
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) held a farewell ceremony in honour of Assistant Chief Fire Officer II (ACFO II) Semey Anthony Mawuko, marking his retirement after 37 years of exemplary service to the nation.
The ceremony, attended by senior management members, led by Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, celebrated ACFO II Mawuko’s outstanding career, defined by professionalism, leadership and technical excellence.
Tributes highlighted his significant contributions to maintenance, transport management and technical services, which greatly strengthened the operational efficiency of the Service.
ACFO II Semey Anthony Mawuko joined the Service on February 2, 1989, and steadily rose through the ranks through hard work, professionalism and dedication to occupy several strategic positions, including Logistics Officer, Municipal Fire Commander for Ashaiman, Assistant Director of Services, and ultimately Assistant Director of Maintenance at National Headquarters before his retirement. His career also featured international exposure through technical inspections and professional development programmes in Poland and the United States.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, he distinguished himself as a mentor and trainer, spearheading initiatives in emergency driving, driver assessment and specialised firefighting equipment training.
His legacy was widely described as one of integrity, dedication and capacity building.
In his farewell remarks, ACFO II Mawuko expressed appreciation to management and colleagues for their support throughout his career and pledged to continue serving as an ambassador of the Service in retirement.
Management extended its best wishes, commending his loyalty and dedication while wishing him good health, fulfilment and success in the next chapter of his life.
The ceremony reflects the GNFS’s enduring tradition of recognising officers who have served with distinction and contributed meaningfully to national fire safety and emergency response.
The Ghana High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, is appealing to the public to help trace the relatives or next of kin of Apia Solomon, a Ghanaian national believed to be from Osu, Accra.
According to a public announcement by the High Commission, Mr. Solomon, born on March 6, 1960, in Accra, died on July 5, 2021, from cardiopulmonary failure.
He worked as a temporary civilian staff member at the National Defence College in Nigeria. His remains are currently being kept at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital morgue in Abuja, pending burial arrangements.
The High Commission says efforts to locate his relatives have so far been unsuccessful and is urging anyone with information about his family, friends or next of kin to come forward.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Ghana High Commission in Abuja.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Security consultant Richard Kumadoe has blamed what he describes as flawed recruitment and incomplete background checks for some of the problems facing the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI).
He has called on the leadership of the BNI to review the backgrounds of officers recruited during specific periods, particularly those who entered the agency under recent recruitment processes.
Speaking on the issue on TV3 yesterday, Mr Kumadoe alleged that some individuals were recruited into the intelligence agency without proper background checks and completed vetting.
“Certain categories of persons were dumped into the BNI, whose backgrounds were not checked, and whose vettings were not completed,” he stated.
He said some of the officers linked to the concerns appeared to have been recruited within the same period, making it necessary for the agency to examine the recruitment records and backgrounds of those who joined during that time.
Mr Kumadoe argued that the problems could be addressed by ensuring that recruitment procedures were properly followed and that all applicants underwent the required checks before being employed.
According to him, when the selection process is flawed, it can lead to problems within the institution.
He blamed the politicisation of security institutions, arguing that appointing people without the necessary intelligence experience and allowing political interests to influence recruitment could undermine their operations.
“When you have a selection procedure that was flawed because you politicised the place, brought in people to come and head the place when they have no business being there, they don’t know anything about being a BNI officer, they are not intelligence officers, and you flood the place with politicians and political artists, then you circumvent the standard procedure and you are going to have some of these problems,” he said.
Mr Kumadoe, however, defended the current leadership of the BNI, arguing that efforts to address longstanding problems within security institutions could bring such issues to light.
He said the leadership should be assessed in the context of the steps it is taking to improve the agency’s operations and uphold professional standards.
Drawing on his own experience in the intelligence field, he said the opportunity to serve under experienced officers had helped him develop the skills and integrity needed to contribute to national security.
By: Jacob Aggrey
