Agona West Firefighters rely on Okada as fire tenders grounded

The Management of the Agona West Municipal Fire Service has revealed that due to a broken-down fire tender, firefighters have had to resort to using motorbikes (Okada) to respond to fire scenes within their operational area.

"Since our only Fire Tender broke down some months ago, we have become handicap when it comes rapid response to destress call to fight fire.

"We are therefore had to rely on our sister stations in Winneba, Kasoa, Gomoa Ankamu and even Mankessim to come to support us making our operations stressful," the management stated.

This revelation came during a visit by the Swedruman Council of Chiefs, led by Nana Kweku Essieni V, Regent of Agona Swedru, who engaged with the Fire Service management to understand their challenges.

According to DO3 Elizabeth Gaise, the 2nd In-Command of the Agona Swedru Municipal Fire Service, the fire tender initially broke down years ago but was temporarily restored with help from the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin.

"Unfortunately, when the machine broke down, we have become handicap in firefighting, a situation that has become a burden on the management.

"We have written to our Regional and National officers to come to our aid and support us with a new engine to keep the tender moving.

"However, I want to appeal to philanthropists, Civil Society Organizations, Churches and individuals to come to Mecedonia and help us, especially our Members of Parliament for Agona West, Gomoa Central and Awutu-Senya West together with their DCEs to listen to our humble request."

In response, Nana Kweku Essieni V assured the fire station's management of the Council’s commitment to support the Ghana National Fire Service in carrying out its duties effectively.

The Swedruman Council of Chiefs also pledged to help decongest Agona Swedru’s business center to improve the smooth transportation of goods and services and boost the local economy.