Resource Fire Service, former envoy appeals

Mr George Kumi, a former envoy in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, has appealed to the government to adequately resource the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

He said with the severity of the harmattan, the GNFS would not be able to control wild and domestic fire outbreaks if it is not adequately resourced.

Mr Kumi, a former Ambassador to Libya and High Commissioner to Nigeria, made the appeal when he visited the PA Capital Preparatory and Junior High School at Abesim in the Brong Ahafo Region, which was razed down by fire last Friday.

Properties running into thousands of Ghana Cedis were destroyed when fire engulfed the school premises.

One pupil lost his life and more than 10 classroom blocks were burnt during the fire which occurred around 1400 hours. The cause of the fire is yet to be known.

The Ghana News Agency gathered that Dr Peprah Agyemang, the Proprietor of the school, had a shock and also died on arrival at the Regional hospital in Sunyani when he heard information about the fire outbreak.

Mr Kumi, who is contesting the Sunyani East Constituency seat as an independent candidate, observed that because of lack of modern logistics and equipment, the GNFS always found it difficult to move in whenever there is fire outbreak.

He appealed to non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and faith-based organisation to support the GNFS in fire fighting.

Mr Kumi called on the National Disaster Management Organisation and the Ministry of Education to collaborate to offer the necessary support to the school for academic work to resume.

Mr Kwaku Ofosu Kyere, the Headmaster of the school, said Management had temporarily closed down the school but were collaborating with the Parent-Teacher Association for academic work to begin very soon.

Source: GNA