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Work begins on Forensic Fire Investigation lab in Accra

The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr Henry Quartey, yesterday in Accra, performed a ground breaking ceremony for the commencement of construction works on a two-storey ultra-modern Forensic Fire Investigation Laboratory for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

The project when completed would house three key directorates of the GNFS namely, the Operations, Fire Safety (FS) and Fire Investigation Directorates (FID).

The ultra-modern facility would as well give a boost to fire investigations conducted by the service.

Performing the ceremony, Mr Quartey said, the facility would enable the service provide conclusive reports whenever there were fire outbreaks.

According to him, the facility would enable fire investigators and intelligence agencies to build up cases to find out fire occurrences and possible ways of combating them in the country.

He indicated that, it had been challenging for the service to have modern equipment by way of being able to bring about advanced and convincing forensic report. 

The Deputy Minister, expressed the commitment of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure that the security agencies in the country were well equipped to enable them combat crime to protect lives and properties in the country.

“We are in the process of procuring hydraulics to enable the service fight fires above fifth floors,” Mr Quartey added.

The Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Mr Edwin Ekow Blankson said the need for a vibrant FID supported by an efficient forensic laboratory to conduct thorough investigations into firebreaks, using modern scientific and technological techniques cannot be overemphasised.

He indicated that, the service had made contact with some key players in the building industry who were willing to support the project with various building materials.

“We are optimistic that with all these arrangements in place, work on the project will progress steadily,” CFO Blankson said. 

He said assigning directors of the service with befitting command vehicles had been well executed saying, “it is likely by the end of this month we will invite you to commission these vehicles.”

This, CFO Blankson said, would end the ordeal of directors of the service attending ceremonies in pickup trucks.

Mr Michael Andoh, the Deputy Commissioner of the National Insurance Company (NIC) presented GH₵200,000.00 on behalf of the commission to aid the construction of the facility.

 BY ALLIA NOSHIE

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