Ashanti records 572 fire outbreaks in 11 months

Ashanti region recorded a total of 572 fire outbreaks within the past 11 months, the Regional Fire Officer, Mr Philip Aheng-Mensah, has said.

He put the value of property lost to the fires at GH¢2,254,878.80.

During the same period, there were also 63 road accidents, which claimed 27 lives and left 76 others with various degrees of injury.

Mr Aheng-Mensah was speaking at a durbar, organized in honour of acting the Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Albert Brown Gaisie, in Kumasi.

He was in Ashanti for a two-day official tour to interact with personnel of the Ghana National Fire Services (GNFS) and to learn at first hand their operational challenges and how to address them.

The Regional Fire Officer said they have intensified fire safety education, visiting market places, churches, schools and industries to help prevent fires.

He complained about the lack of Fire Tenders and other fire-fighting equipment and said this was affecting operational efficiency.

Mr Gaisie expressed concern about the increasing fire outbreaks in the region, particularly at the markets, leading to the loss of investments.

He encouraged personnel of the service to do more to help prevent the fires, adding that, they should also ensure high standards of professionalism to win public support.

The acting Chief Fire Officer gave the assurance that the service would soon receive more Fire Tenders and other equipment to enhance its operation.

Mr Gaisie spoke of plans to focus on periodic training programmes to sharpen the skills of the personnel.

Source: GNA