The National Premix Fuel Secretariat (NPFS) has held a week-long fire safety workshop for Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) in the Central and Western regions.

The initiative which is a collaboration between the NPFS and National Petroleum Authority (NPA) had the partnership support of the Ghana National Fire Service who provided resource persons to deliver practical demonstrations on fire prevention and basic firefighting.

Addressing participants, the Chairman of the National Premix Fuel Committee, Dennis Percyval Quaicoe called on all LBC’s to display a high sense of responsibility towards their safety and that of others.

He assured them that the committee will endeavor to work with LBC’s and stakeholders alike to improve the conditions of all LBC’s across the country.

“I want to urge you all to act responsibly at all times. Your lives are precious and so you must do all you can to safeguard it even in your line of work”, he added.

The first workshop was held at the Jomoro Municipal Assembly for LBCs in the Ellembelle Nzema East and Jomoro District.

Subsequent days saw the workshop held in the Secondi/Takoradi Municipal for LBCs from Shama, Ahanta West and Sekondi/Takoradi Districts.

The third and fourth days of the week-long workshop series were held in Elmina for LBCs drawn from Komenda, Edina, Eguafo, Abirem and Winneba for LBCs under the Effutu Municipal Assembly.

Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, Nana Abrokwa Asare on his part, cautioned participants to adhere strictly to all safety guidelines stipulated by the GNFS and the NPA.

“The mandate of the NPFS is hinged on ensuring the availability of premix fuel to aid productivity in the fishing sector. To achieve this target, we reckon that the welfare and safety of the fishermen is paramount. This is why we initiated this series of workshops as a measure for sensitization and capacity improvement for those who manage the end-stage of premix fuel distribution.

"I want to beseech you all to make a conscious effort to carry out all guidelines stipulated by the NPA and the GNFS to rapidly improve safety at all LBCs across the country.

"Your lives and wellbeing is of utmost importance to the industry and Ghana. You must therefore act responsibly at all times to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property," he said.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development under the leadership of Mavis Hawa Koomson has tasked the NPFS to improve safety at all LBCs across the country to mitigate the risk of fire accidents.

This, the sector Minister believes will sharply assuage the cases of fire accidents and improve safety and productivity in the sector.