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Brong Ahafo Fire Service Ill-Equipped

By Newshuntermag.com
Regional News ACFO James Owusu-Adjei
JAN 19, 2018 LISTEN
ACFO James Owusu-Adjei

The Brong Ahafo Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire service (GNFS) is faced with the problem of inadequate equipment.

The Regional Commander of the Service, ACFO James Owusu-Adjei highlighted the challenges faced by the Service when the Acting Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Edwin Ekow Blankson visited the Region on Monday to acquaint himself with the operations of the command.

ACFO James Owusu-Adjei stated that equipment currently in use by the Command is woefully inadequate.

“The financial situation of the command is not encouraging as Financial Encumbrances (FE) and fuel coupons are not enough to ensure consistent operational efficiency. Again, the command is faced with the problem of inadequate equipment including RTC equipment among several others. Most of the fire stations lack the necessary logistics like computers, printers, photocopier devices and even furniture,” he stated.

He also pointed out that the region is under staffed.

“In addition to the Regional Headquarters, there are twenty one (21) fire stations under the command. These stations are staffed by six hundred and thirty one (631) personnel making up an average of twenty eight personnel per station. The situation degenerates further to the extent that some stations have as low as eleven (11) personnel. This falls way outside the purview of best practices,” the Brong Ahafo Regional Fire Commander bemoaned.

ACFO Owusu-Adjei therefore requested for additional personnel to boost the operational effectiveness of the region.

He added that inadequacy of drivers is another challenge.

“Many Fire Stations currently have only two (2) drivers. This presents a major challenge to operational efficiency more especially when one of the drivers is indisposed or on leave. In light of this, I will like to ask for a lasting solution to the problem during recruitment,” ACFO James Owusu-Adjei stressed.

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