Ghana National Fire Service Appeals for Urgent Resource Support

In a plea directed towards both the government and corporate entities, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has highlighted the critical need for additional resources to bolster its operational capabilities. ACFOI Timothy Osafo-Affum, the Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, emphasized the urgent requirement for support to address the institution's ongoing resource crisis, which has been severely impeding its ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.

The call for assistance follows a widely circulated video on social media depicting firefighters grappling with a blaze, which ignited public outcry and criticism regarding the perceived inefficiency of the fire service. ACFOI Osafo-Affum clarified in an interview with Graphic Online that the challenges depicted in the video were largely attributed to aging equipment, particularly outdated tenders and fire engines, which frequently encounter operational issues during emergency response.

"The video that you saw, it is just because the vehicle is old, so the pump failed, and that’s why it was not pumping efficiently. The pressure, as you saw, was very low, and it took time before the pressure built up," ACFOI Osafo-Affum explained.

Despite possessing a well-trained workforce, the GNFS contends that the lack of modern equipment severely hampers its operational efficiency. ACFOI Osafo-Affum emphasized that the responsibility for addressing these shortcomings ultimately lies with the government, as sustained underinvestment has hindered the timely replacement and upgrading of essential firefighting apparatus.

"On the ground, all our vehicles are very old. We should have replaced them at least five years ago, but we are still operating them because the government has not been able to provide us with new ones," he lamented.

Moreover, ACFOI Osafo-Affum raised concerns regarding the inadequacy of support from other key stakeholders involved in emergency response, citing challenges in accessing sufficient water supply from the Ghana Water Company Limited. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to overcome these obstacles and ensure a more effective emergency management framework.

"It is not an issue of arriving without water. The fire tender is built in a specific way. If you put a lot of water in it, movement then becomes a problem. So calculations are made to ensure speed and at the same time, to ensure there’s enough water for the job," he clarified.

Amidst these challenges, the GNFS remains committed to its duty of safeguarding lives and property, albeit under increasingly strained circumstances. As the institution continues to grapple with resource constraints, the appeal for urgent intervention serves as a rallying cry for concerted action to fortify Ghana's firefighting capabilities and enhance overall emergency response readiness.

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