A devastating fire outbreak in Techiman, Bono East Region, has once again exposed the critical logistic challenges facing the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey, lamented the service’s dire state, citing inadequate firefighting equipment, outdated fire tenders, and public interference as major obstacles to effective fire management.
His comments paint a grim picture of a firefighting force struggling to operate under severe constraints, with firefighters forced to work with decades-old equipment and limited resources.
“It’s very disappointing that the whole of Techiman, we have just one fire tender. So whenever there is any major fire in Techiman, we have to rely on fire tenders from Kintampo and other very far areas, which take more than an hour to get to Techiman to help fight fires.”
Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey Public Relations Officer of the GNFS
This logistical nightmare means that when multiple fire incidents occur within a short time, response efforts are severely delayed, increasing the likelihood of extensive property damage and loss of life.
“For a big area like Techiman, we can’t afford to have just one fire tender serving the whole community. It becomes a big problem because we sometimes have to rely on fire tenders from places as far as Wassa, which is almost a two-hour drive away. This is unacceptable.’’
Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey Public Relations Officer of the GNFS
Beyond the issue of limited fire tenders, Mr. Nartey also raised concerns about the age and condition of the existing firefighting fleet.
“A lot of our fire tenders are on life support. After attending one or two fires, they break down, and we have to work on them again before getting them back on the road. The most modern fire tender that we have in the system is about twelve to thirteen years old. That is how bad the situation is.’’
Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey Public Relations Officer of the GNFS
Even more alarming, he disclosed that some of the fire engines still in use were procured during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings, making them over 20 years old.
The aging fire tenders are not only old but also overworked, often responding to multiple fire incidents in a single day without adequate maintenance. The continuous use of these outdated machines, Mr. Nartey explained, accelerates wear and tear and reduces their efficiency.
He emphasized that the lack of resources is forcing firefighters to operate in unsafe conditions, often with equipment that can fail at any moment.
Public Interference Hindering Operations
Apart from logistical challenges, Mr. Nartey also pointed out that public interference during fire incidents makes the work of firefighters even more difficult.
“For reasons best known to some of these residents, they resort to cutting our hoses. Whether they think they are helping or not, it doesn’t help at all. It rather delays our work. The [public] should leave us to work. Their interference is not helping. It only worsens the situation.’’
Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey Public Relations Officer of the GNFS
Mr. Nartey warned that the current situation is a ticking time bomb, emphasizing that without urgent intervention, the country could face even more devastating fire incidents with little capacity to respond effectively.
He called on the government to take immediate action by procuring new fire tenders and ensuring that existing ones are well maintained.
The recent fire incident with 3 dead and many injured, including fire fighters in the Konongo Municipality in Techiman, has once again highlighted the severe constraints facing the Ghana National Fire Service.
With only one fire tender serving a large municipality, coupled with aging equipment and public interference, firefighters are struggling to perform their duties effectively.
Mr. Ado Alex King Nartey’s revelations underscore the urgent need for government intervention to retool the fire service and provide additional resources. Without immediate action, communities across Ghana remain vulnerable to devastating fires, with firefighters unable to respond adequately.
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