ASHANTI REGION LOST GH¢22M TO FIRE (PAGE 35, MIRROR, JAN 30, 2010)

From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

PROPERTIES estimated at GH¢22,020,196.70 were totally burnt into ashes in the 6,508 fire outbreaks recorded in the Ashanti Region between 1999 and 2009.
The Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Philip Aheng Mensah, who made this known to The Mirror, said during the 10-year period, a total of 4,315 fire outbreaks were recorded in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs.
He said property worth GH¢16,222,614.00 were also burnt into ashes in the metropolis during the period under review.
He said even though the destruction of property through fire outbreaks were reduced last year, as compared to the previous years, the situation was still unacceptable since most of the fires were preventable.
He explained that in 2008 for example, as much as GH¢4,627,858.78 worth of properties were destroyed in the region through fire outbreaks as compared to GH¢2,342,608 recorded in 2009.
The Kumasi Metropolis recorded the biggest chunk of property loss with an estimated property worth GH¢3,595,107.48 destroyed through fire outbreaks in 2008 compared to GH¢2,030,048 recorded in 2009.
He expressed concern about the fire situation in the region over the past decade, saying over the period domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires occurred regularly, creating a sense of insecurity and deprivation among victims.
Mr Aheng Mensah pointed out that between 2008 and 2009 for example, 11 people died through fire outbreaks and said it was time residents appreciated the need to take precaution to prevent domestic, industrial and bush fires, among others, that continued to cause havoc and sometimes claim lives.
He assured that his administration would intensify education campaign on preventive measures to enable the public appreciate the need to take precautionary measures to reduce the frequent fire outbreaks in the region.
He said apart from the educational campaign, which would be carried out in churches, first and second cycle schools, industries and communities throughout the year, enforcement on fire certificate would also be strictly observed.
He explained that enforcement of fire certificates on structures in the metropolis was very important because property developers pay little or no attention to fire safety when putting up structures. 
This, he said, made it difficult for firemen to have easy access to such structures whenever there was an emergency.
He said notwithstanding the numerous challenges confronting Firemen in the region, they would continue to introduce innovative measures that would minimise fire outbreaks in the region.
Mr Aheng Mensah said inadequate Fire Engines to enable them respond quickly to emergencies were some of the challenges confronting them.
“ All Fire Engines are ageing, and their reliability continue to dwindle” he complained, adding “ this sometimes affect our operations”
He explained that “the unavailability of adequate fire engines , especially at all stations in the region also affect our efficiency and effectiveness”
He said it was therefore important for corporate bodies, firms, institutions, and the public to support them to acquire fire engines to enhance efficiency in combating fire outbreaks in the region in future 
He said it was equally important for the public to strictly abide by fire safety and prevention measures to reduce the menace of fire outbreaks which seems to becoming endemic in the region.