PThe Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) will, this year, recruit 1,000 more personnel to augment the current limited number, Ambrose Dery, Minister of the Interior has announced.
That, he said, would improve the fire personnel to citizen ratio of one fire personnel to 4,303 citizens, adding that it was unacceptable per the United Nations Standard which required one fire personnel to 800 citizens.
Mr Dery said this during the 48th recruit passing-out parade of the GNFS held in Accra yesterday.
Additionally, he said government had approved the procurement of two hydraulic platforms, which were special equipment used to access high rise buildings that extended beyond 15 floors.
The minister noted that the world was witnessing the use of more complex tools and equipment in all fields and aspects of human endeavour, hence the need for the country to be a part of the technological evolution.
In this regard, he noted that the role of the service in achieving government’s agenda of Ghana Beyond Aid was to ensure a safe and secure environment for business and investors in the country.
“Government is aware of the many challenges that confront the Ghana National Fire Service and is determined to retool the service with the aim of transforming it into an institution capable of delivering world class fire and rescue service,” Mr Dery stated.
The sector minister indicated that the ministry was exploring ways by which the GNFS could increase its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and retain part to develop the service.
He commended personnel of the GNFS for their sacrifice and dedication to duty, saying “despite the challenges confronting the organisation, you have performed creditably in fire management in the country,” and urged them to engage more with the public.
Mr Dery congratulated the recruits for showing endurance and fortitude throughout their eight months of fierce training.
A total of 398 recruits passed out from the training, made up of 299 males and 99 females.
The recruits were taken through physical and theoretical training in various disciplines.
BY ALLIA NOSHIE
