UK partners donate fire tender equipment to boost GNFS operations

Fire Aid UK and International Development in the United Kingdom have donated a Mercedes-Benz fire tender and firefighting equipment to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to strengthen the country’s emergency response capacity.

The donation was officially handed over on Wednesday in Accra.

Receiving the items on behalf of the government, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, expressed gratitude to the UK partners for their support and generosity.

He described the gesture as a demonstration of a strong partnership and a shared commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

According to the Deputy Minister, the donation comes at a crucial time when the Ghana National Fire Service requires additional resources to improve its operations and emergency response efforts across the country.

He noted that the fire tender and equipment would significantly enhance the Service's operational capacity and enable personnel to respond more quickly and effectively to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.

Mr Terlabi also commended the Chief Fire Officer, the leadership, and personnel of the GNFS for their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges confronting the Service.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to retooling the Fire Service and improving the welfare and working conditions of its personnel.

The Deputy Minister further assured that the government would continue to pursue strategic international partnerships to strengthen the country’s emergency and disaster response institutions.

Handing over the keys to the fire tender, the Chief Fire Officer of Oxfordshire, Mr Robert Somerled Macdougall, said the partnership between the institutions would continue to grow stronger.

He expressed optimism about future collaborations and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Ghana National Fire Service.

Ghana’s Chief Fire Officer, Madam Daniella Ntow Sarpong, expressed appreciation to the donors for the timely intervention.

She assured that the fire tender and equipment would be put to good use to improve firefighting operations and emergency response services across the country.