2015 Fire Safety Week launched in Accra
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has launched the 2015 Fire Safety Week as part of an educational campaign to reduce fire outbreaks in the country.
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In the first quarter of 2015 alone, 1, 539 fire outbreaks were recorded across the country.
Statistics made available by the GNFS indicate that the Greater Accra Region recorded the highest fire outbreaks of 552, followed by Ashanti and Central regions with 397 and 159 fire outbreaks respectively.
Notable among areas affected by the fires were the Tema Central Medical Stores, Pharmacy Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Kumasi Central Market.
Just last Friday, the Dome branch of the Victory Bible Church was also consumed by fire.
“Annual ritual”
Launching the week in Accra yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, expressed worry over the frequent fire outbreaks in the country, describing the incidents as a tragedy.
“Fire outbreaks have become an annual ritual in our country. Every year, fires consume large tracts of our forests, farmlands, markets, industries, homes and various sources of livelihood,” he said.
“It is also worth knowing that the destructive impacts of these fires on lives, properties and resources have significant negative socio-economic effects on the country, which ultimately retards the country’s development,” he added.
Fire, threat to health, safety
The Chief Fire Officer, Dr Albert Brown Gaisie, said the risk of fire was one of the greatest threats to health and safety.
Therefore, he said, the programme was to educate the public on fire safety,reminding all stakeholders and the public to be more committed and work as a team to eliminate fire outbreaks.
