The Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery on Monday, July 10, 2017, sworn the Members of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Council into office.
The Eleven Member Council which has Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong as the chairman is expected amongst other things, to devise ingenious ways of raising and generating revenue to supplement the efforts of government
Addressing the Council, Mr. Abrose Dery, tasked them to bring their expertise and experience from their diverse field of work to bear on the Council.
According to the Minister, there is the need for the Ghana National Fire Service to position its self to meet the demand as well as offer critical services to the citizenry as a result of the rise in population and expansion of cities and towns.
He indicated that, there are sixty-six Political Districts which do not have a Ghana National Fire Service presence and prayed the District Assemblies to follow the GNFS basic modalities for the establishment of Fire Stations in districts to remedy the situation.
Mr. Dery reiterated government’s commitment to resourcing the GNFS adequately to deliver on its mandate.
To this end, he revealed that government has for the first time since the establishment of the GNFS in 1963, paid 20 percent of basic salary as rent allowance to personnel in addition to giving approval to the GNFS to begin the process for a soon to start recruitment exercise aimed at reducing the current ratio of I fire officer to 4,000 persons towards the United Nations ratio of I officer to 1160.
The GNFS, would also benefit from the procurement of needed vehicles and equipment from the Chinese grant.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, assured the Minister of their readiness to work in ensuring that good policies are developed for the good of the service.
The Ghana National Fire Service, was established by Article 190(1) of the 1992 Constitution as a public service entity, mandated amongst other things to prevent and fight of all types of fires as well as support other institutions in accidents and emergency cases to save life and property.
The members of the Council are Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie of the GNFS, Mr. Smaule Amankwah, Ministry of the Interior, ADOI Susannette Akuki Debrah, GNFS and SUB/O. Jerry Appiagye, GNFS and Mr. Donan Kobla Tay, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.
The rest are, Mrs. Helen A.A.Ziwu, Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department, Mr. John Obeng Asiedu, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Mr. Florence Pul (Nee Ninfaakang), Mr. Emmanuel Adugbire Atenga and Mr. Rudolf Kuuzegh, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
Public Affairs & Com. Unit│ Accra, July 10, 2017
