Chief of Atwima Techiman, Nana Antwi Agyei Breampong II, has presented a fire engine to enhance the work of the Ghana National Fire Service in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region.

The fire engine is intended to assist in addressing service problems while attempting to control fire events in the district.

Officials from the fire department have struggled for years to manage fire outbreaks since the area lacks a fire tender, resulting in the loss of life and property.

However, the area's chief felt the necessity to assist the government in alleviating the plights of the service and citizens, since national progress requires a collaborative effort.

Nana Breampong II said, he took delivery of the vehicle through a partnership with some Germans in the Germany town of Murnau.

"When the fire post was upgraded to a station, I saw the need for them to have a vehicle to help them in controlling fires. So I spoke to the Germans and they gave us this vehicle you see here today," he said.

Nana Breampong II expressed his displeasure with the government for levying tariffs on goods intended to benefit communities.

He stated that if it hadn't been for the assistance of the Ashanti and Greater Accra regional Commanders of the Ghana National Fire Service, he would have had to pay exorbitant duties at the Tema port before clearing the vehicle.

According to the chief, the status of the road would provide a significant difficulty to fire personnel while traveling to fire scenes.

As a result, he urged the district assembly and the government to take action to fix the road in order to support the service and stimulate economic activity in the area.

Nana Breampong II additionally delivered some firefighting gear to both the Kumasi and Accra regional fire stations to help them in their task.

The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO 1 Henry Giwa, commended Nana Breampong II for his continued commitment to the district's development.

He stated that the vehicle will help to strengthen and improve their emergency response competencies, especially at a time when the region is seeing a high number of fires.

Mr. Giwa said the fire service has been working tirelessly to limit the number of fire outbreaks in the region, and that public adherence to fire procedures is also critical to minimizing destruction.

"As a service, we have strived to reduce the number of fire incidents from 668 from January to May to 532 for the same period of this year," he noted.

He promised to collaborate closely with the district commander to ensure that the vehicle and other materials are put to good use in order to promote durability.

While pleading for a suitable fire station, he urged chiefs and opinion leaders to follow suit by helping further develop their communities.

Prince Karikari, the District Chief Executive for the Atwima Kwawoma District, commended the chief for his assistance in developing the area.

He explained that the fire engine can run easily if the road connecting the area is fixed, thus the government has awarded the road for building, but the contractor's laxity is slowing the pace.

According to him, processes are being taken to ensure that the contractor returns to the site and completes the project