The only fire tender serving the Oforikrom Municipality in Ashanti region has been grounded for over a year.
This adversely affects the response time to fire outbreaks in the area.
When fire gutted a 21-bedroom house at Anloga, fire officers had to rely on the Manhyia fire tender to fight the blaze.
The Ashanti Region recorded 390 fire outbreaks in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 485 fires the same period in 2022, according to the Ghana National Service.
Notwithstanding the reduction, the response time to fire outbreaks could have been better but for the poor state of fire tenders in the region.
Municipal Chief Executive for Oforikrom, Abraham Kwame Antwi, says requests from the fire department for repairs on a fire tender have not been heeded because the assembly cannot afford the cost.
“The regional fire chief reported this at the Regional Security Council (RESEC) but the money involved was huge and we didn't have the capacity. Although it's their [Fire service] responsibility to fix it, when they don't have the resources, we the beneficiaries cannot sit and fold our hands. Even the KMA with high financial muscles took some months to fix theirs when it got spoilt. So we have reached out to some private institutions within our municipality to assist,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ashanti regional PRO of the Fire Service, D.O.III Peter Addai, explains there are ongoing plans to fix malfunctioning tenders.
He however expects all sectors to collaborate with the fire department.
“The regional command has put in measures to fix it. As of now, we have procured some packs, but the amount involved is huge. All of us have a role to play because the fire tender is serving the people of Oforikrom, although it belongs to us.”
According to him, the Assembly Act 936, states that the Assembly has to provide fire services, which means they have a major role to play.
There are currently 21 fire tenders serving 43 districts in the Ashanti Region.
Latest Stories
-
Man remanded for allegedly stabbing businessman with broken bottle and screwdriver
3 mins -
KPMG’s report on GRA and SML deal, government white paper on report and matters arising
13 mins -
I won’t reply to Chris Brown tour criticism – Ayra Star
15 mins -
British Columbia to back off drug decriminalisation project
23 mins -
Veteran commentator Joe Lartey Sr dies at 96
24 mins -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses KPMG report on SML deal, ILO on SSNIT reserves and NDC’s running mate
57 mins -
Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set Guinness World Records
58 mins -
Mathew Anim Cudjoe’s Dundee United promoted to Scottish Premiership after Championship win
1 hour -
NSMQ star Jochebed Adwoa Sutherland sweeps 12 awards at UG Vice-Chancellor’s Ceremony
2 hours -
Ghana’s Education Quality ranked 125 out of 183 countries in latest Global Youth Development Index
2 hours -
Emma Stone wants people to use her real first name
2 hours -
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
6 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
6 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
10 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
11 hours