Government urged to upgrade Ghana National Fire Service to commission status to enhance operations

The Vice President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre Osei Bonsu, has called on the government to upgrade the Ghana National Fire Service to a Commission status for it to conform to the dynamics of fire-fighting. 

In his view, a National Fire Commission will not only be independent in taking certain critical decisions on the spur of the moment in response to emergencies, but will also receive the required national support in terms of resources to perform optimally.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu, who is also the 2nd in command in the hierachy of Asanteman, made the proposal at Asante Mampong when the Chief Fire Officer, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie paid a courtesy call on him. 

Daasebre Osei Bonsu, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs, noted that new challenges such as urbanization are emerging and are posing a serious threat to human safety and security. 

These require that the nation adopts different approaches to fire fighting and rescue missions to meet the changing times. 

Daasebre Osei Bonsu expressed worry about recent cases of wildfires in the Ashanti region particularly the one which occurred at Worakose a suburb of Asante Mampong in which seven persons were burnt to death. 

He blamed some of the causes on the people's quest to safeguard themselves and their property against thieves at the peril of their lives. 

The Chief Fire Officer, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie, disclosed that plans are in place for the GNFS to build three training schools at Ejura and Tepa in the Ashanti region and at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Brong Ahafo region for the training of officers in effective fire fighting and rescue operations. 

Additionally, the Service is  re-strategizing its operations to meet the changing times and emerging challenges.

Meanwhile, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie has been appointed to serve on the Fire Safety Board of Africa and will be presenting a Paper on effective fire fighting operations at the Board's next meeting.


GBC