The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ridwan Timothy Affum, has intimated that the law to prohibit persons from shooting videos with their phones in emergency situations might be considered.
Speaking on how quick such a move will be taken to prohibit people from shooting videos with their phones instead of attending to the emergency at stake, Mr. Affum averred that it was too early for such a law to be considered.
“But lets look ahead, let’s continue to educate the public on what and what needs to be done. That, it is better to help than to take your phone to shoot. As we continue to do this over the period, if we see that the situation is not changing or its rather becoming rampant, then we can consider bringing in the law.”
Ridwan Timothy Affum
Commenting on the dangers some persons put themselves in the quest to get videos prior to the Apiate explosion, Ridwan Affum stated that the Service will focus on sensitizing the public on emergency response mechanisms.
“We are happy that people are ready to help. Nowadays instead of people trying to help, they rather pick their phones because phones have become common and everybody’s phone has a camera. So, people just try to film.”
Ridwan Timothy Affum
According to the Service PRO, under normal circumstances, the service appreciates the effort of the public to help when there is an emergency. He stated that there are two phases to these emergencies.
“There are people that if you are not an expert and you handle, you will rather aggravate their situation and there are people too who under normal circumstances may need immediate attention. And so, if the public cannot help those that are in awkward situations, they should quickly get them to any of the emergency agencies to fix the situation.”
Ridwan Timothy Affum
Ridwan Timothy Affum’s comments come on the back of the Appiate-Bogoso explosion and another near explosion at Kaase which saw several people gathered around a burning fuel tanker trying to catch a glimpse and also take pictures and video evidence on their phones.
According to reports, if not for the timely intervention of personnel of the Ghana National Fire service, the explosion might have been the second to happen after that of the Apiate-Bogoso explosion leading to the death of many others.
Explosion affects 950 residents
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Dr. Isaac Dasmani, has disclosed that 950 residents have been affected by the explosion at Apiate-Bogoso.
According to him, so far, 14 deaths have been confirmed with five in critical conditions and the reported cases of 200 persons sustaining minor injuries.
The MCE disclosed that some of the deceased have been identified and his office is helping the families to bury them.
“For now, we have 5 critical cases, some of them were close to the epicentre. I hear one of them had the intestines almost coming out and 3 have been sent to KATH, one is in Korle-Bu and another one in Cape Coast.”
Dr. Isaac Dasmani
Dr. Dasmani further averred that it was early to talk about compensation from the company. This discussion, he noted, might be discussed later.
“For now, my concerns are making sure the displaced are able to live their normal lives. Whatever anybody has that they want to give to us, we are ready to receive with open arms. We have a warehouse to keep these things so that the victims can live their normal lives.”
Dr. Isaac Dasmani
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