The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has embarked on an initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of businesses in major markets by educating traders and stakeholders on essential fire safety measures.
This initiative seeks to mitigate the risk of fire outbreaks, ensuring that goods and services are safeguarded to reduce disruptions to livelihoods.
The programme, launched at the Adidome Market, focuses on empowering market operators with knowledge and skills to prevent and effectively respond to fire incidents.
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) George Lumorvi, the GNFS team provided practical training on handling domestic gas cylinders, understanding the causes and classes of fires, using appropriate extinguishing methods, and accessing emergency services.
Key operational recommendations included forming a market volunteer taskforce to act as first responders and engaging certified electricians for proper electrical installations. These steps are designed to enhance operational safety and reduce potential losses that could disrupt the market’s economic activities.
The GNFS plans to extend the initiative to other markets in the district, such as Mafi Kumase, aiming to create a widespread culture of fire safety. However, the program revealed critical infrastructural challenges, such as the absence of fire hydrants in strategic locations, which hinder effective firefighting efforts.
ADO Lumorvi called for government intervention to address this gap, emphasizing its importance for safeguarding businesses and livelihoods.
In a bid to build community resilience, Mr. Guggisberg Fiagbenu, Assembly Member for the Adidome Electoral Area, encouraged local youth to undergo voluntary firefighting training. This initiative is expected to build a skilled workforce capable of implementing immediate preventive measures and safeguarding market operations during emergencies.
Additionally, plans to establish fire cadet programs in schools underscore the GNFS’s long-term commitment to embedding fire safety awareness in future generations. This comprehensive approach ensures that communities are not only prepared for fire incidents but also proactive in minimizing risks.
