DOIII Desmond Ackah, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has urged local authorities to take proactive measures to prevent the emergence of slum areas in their communities.
Ackah emphasized that the development of slums often leads to increased fire outbreaks, posing significant risks to lives and properties. He highlighted that avoiding the formation of slums from the outset would greatly reduce the occurrence of such sudden and destructive incidents.
“We want local authorities, who hold the mandate, to ensure that such slums do not even develop. If possible, we should find better accommodations for migrants seeking greener pastures,” Ackah advised.
This proactive approach, he argued, would help safeguard communities and mitigate the underlying causes of recurring fires that devastate informal settlements.
Ackah also shed light on factors affecting the GNFS’s response times, noting, “Our response time depends on several variables, such as prank calls on emergency lines that prevent genuine cases from accessing our services.
Additionally, poor road conditions, especially in certain areas, compel us to prioritize the safety of our equipment and personnel, limiting our speed.” Incorrect addresses provided during emergencies further compound the challenges faced by fire response teams.
Concluding, Ackah reminded the public that the emergency contact numbers remain 112 and 192.
He called on citizens to refrain from prank calls and encouraged gifting smoke alarms and fire extinguishers this Christmas to enhance fire safety in homes.
“Please, let’s protect our loved ones, and even our enemies, by promoting fire safety measures,” he appealed.
