Gender Ministry commiserates with family of child killed in Cantonments fire

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has expressed condolences to the family of a young girl who died in a fire incident at Cantonments in Accra.

This comes after a two-year-old girl has tragically lost her life after a devastating blaze engulfed a home in Cantonments, Accra, on Sunday, September 20.

Reacting to this, the Ministry urged parents, guardians and caregivers to take practical steps to protect children from fire and other hazards at home.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, the ministry called for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be established.

“The incident also reminds us to be more vigilant in protecting children from hazards at home and in other environments,” the Ministry said in part of the statement.

The Ministry urged households to keep matches, lighters and other sources of fire out of children’s reach, while ensuring that electrical appliances and installations are safe.

It further advised parents and caregivers to avoid leaving young children unattended and encouraged households to have basic fire safety and emergency evacuation arrangements in place.

The Ministry said children should also be taught, where appropriate, what to do during an emergency.

It urged the Ghana National Fire Service to conclude its investigation and establish the cause of the fire, saying this would help provide clarity and inform measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Child protection remains a shared responsibility. Families, caregivers, communities and relevant institutions all have a role to play in identifying risks, promoting safe environments and taking timely action to protect children from harm,” it said.