The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has commissioned infrastructure projects and operational vehicles for the Ghana National Fire Service and the Fire Academy and Training School respectively, in Accra.
Dr Bawumia on Friday commissioned two two-storey dormitory blocks, two storey classroom block and a dining hall for the Fire Academy and Training School.
The Vice President also commissioned 2 hydraulic platforms and a Rapid intervention Vehicle (RIV) for the Ghana National Fire Service.
Speaking at the event, Dr Bawumia noted that the facilities, fully funded by the government, forms part of plans by the government to resource and help the Ghana National Fire Service to deliver on its mandate more effectively, as well as equip the Fire Academy and Training School to be among the best in Africa.
“In the coming years, government intends to make the Fire Academy and Training School Africa’s best by providing training facilities such as simulators, which comprise firefighting simulators and urban search and rescue simulators to help keep firefighters abreast with modern firefighting and rescue skills,” Dr Bawumia said.
“The government is also considering the acquisition of firefighting and rescue helicopters as a long-term solution to some of the delivery challenges of Ghana National Fire Service.”
Dr Bawumia added that the government, through the Interior Ministry and the Fire Service Council, has also acquired plots of land in various parts of the Country to build additional training facilities for the ease and effective training of Serving Fire Officers as well as prospective Fire Officers.
On improvement of personnel of the Service, the Vice President noted that since the coming into office of the NPP Government in 2017, the Ghana National Fire Service has been given permission to recruit in excess of 7000 personnel to augment the manpower strength of the Service.
“This demonstrates the government’s efforts of ensuring that the Ghana National Fire Service has adequate personnel to expand its operations to cover all Districts in the Country,” Dr Bawumia added.
The Vice President, while admonishing the Service and students to take good care of the facilities, also I urged personnel of the Fire Service to “remain steadfast and committed to your mandate of saving lives and property.”
“The firefighting profession the world over, is considered as one of the most sacred jobs owing to the extent of sacrifices and commitment required of you. Your responsibility to our dear country is very crucial and directly linked with the nation’s socio-economic development. When fires are kept at bay, lives are preserved and property and investments are also protected,” he said.
Present at the ceremony included the Minister for Interior and the Chief Fire Officer.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
