The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, found himself in a heated confrontation with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while battling a devastating fire at the Blue Light Arena in Adum, Kumasi.

“Shouting does not quench fire,” but “Why did you lie that you have enough water in the tank?”

These were the key phrases making headlines as tensions flared between the Minister and the institution responsible for managing the crisis while the fire raged in Adum on Friday.

A catastrophic blaze broke out on Friday, ravaging over 5,000 shops and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The fire, which started in the early hours, continued unabated until it was eventually brought under control by Sunday morning. The scene was one of chaos, confusion, and intense frustration, particularly among those trying to mitigate the disaster.

Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, became a focal point in a highly publicised confrontation with the fire service team on the ground. The Minister, visibly upset and frustrated by the slow response to the fire, confronted fire service officials with harsh criticisms.

His accusations centred around the lack of water in a fire truck that was meant to assist in controlling the flames.

In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the Minister is seen approaching the fire service personnel and, in an agitated tone, demanding to know why they had not been able to control the blaze sooner. He repeatedly shouted at the operatives, accusing them of misleading him about their preparedness to tackle the inferno.

“Why did you lie to me? You told me you had enough water, so why is this tank empty? Move it out of here!” he was heard saying.

The Minister's emotional outburst, captured on video, sparked widespread attention, with many expressing concern over the apparent lack of professionalism in the exchange. The image of the Regional Minister openly clashing with fire service personnel only added to the confusion and tension of the situation.

In the aftermath, the Ghana National Fire Service issued a statement in response to the Minister’s actions. The Ashanti Regional fire commander, ACFO Peter Tetteh, condemned the Minister's behaviour, labelling it as disrespectful, demoralising, and unfair.

Meanwhile, Alex Nartey, a member of the GNFS Public Relations department, earlier criticised the Minister for his remarks, stating, “Shouting doesn’t quench fire.”

Apologies all around

As the dust continues to settle, both Dr. Frank Amoakohene and the Ghana National Fire Service are calling for unqualified apologies from each other, while traders in the area continue to assess their losses.

The Minister, in particular, found Alex Nartey’s response harsh and unjustified, demanding a public apology. In turn, the GNFS explained that, contrary to the Minister’s claims, their standard operating procedure dictates that at least one fire truck be left off the scene to replenish with water, and thus, it was correct for the truck to be stationed there even without water at the time.

The fire service is now also calling for the Minister to issue an unqualified apology to the firefighters involved.

The debate

This confrontation has ignited a broader debate. Some argue that the Minister’s frustration stemmed from the urgency of the situation, as he witnessed the scale of the destruction and felt the need to act swiftly. Others, however, contend that his public outburst was unproductive, creating an environment of discord rather than fostering a collaborative effort to tackle the crisis.

What needs to be done?

The tragic fire at Adum has highlighted the vulnerability of local businesses and underscored the urgent need for more robust emergency response systems and greater preparedness. While the fire was eventually extinguished, the conflict between the Minister and the Ghana National Fire Service serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in managing such emergencies.

The incident has also raised serious concerns about the fire service’s equipment and readiness. There is a growing call for the GNFS to be properly resourced with the necessary tools and supplies to effectively combat fires.

Many have suggested that in a country where many areas are difficult to access, the introduction of fire helicopters could help prevent future catastrophes and ensure a more rapid response in emergencies.