Public Agenda (Accra)
Ebenezar Nana Wilson
2 November 2009
opinion
It would be recalled that in the Monday Edition, July 22, 2009 of the Public Agenda, the Silent Observer raised pertinent issues concerning the spate of fire outbreaks in Ghana under the caption "Halt the Fire Onslaught".
In the said article the government's attention was drawn to the plight of personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the need to enhance their capacity to fight fire outbreaks effectively. This was in order to avert a national disaster which could otherwise be averted.
But it seems all the media reports and calls on the government to resource the GNFS in the past has fallen on deaf ears. It is gratifying that the recent fire outbreak which completely burnt down the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Accra on Thursday, October 22, 2009, leading to the loss of vital documents, some of which dates back to the colonial era, is fast becoming a catalyst for the government to consider the issue of equipping the GNFS more seriously.
We should not look on unconcerned until the CASTLE - the seat of government, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), or Parliament House is consumed by fire before the government shows genuine commitment in the fight against fire outbreaks. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, the fire outbreak at his ministry is likely to affect Ghana's diplomatic relations negatively, particularly as the Ministry does not have a strong information back-up system.
In the medium to long term strategy to fight fires in the country, the government should as a matter of urgency consider setting up a fire fighting fund. (FF. FUND) in the mode of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), proceeds of which could be used to resource and boost the capacity of the GNFS to fight all classes of fire irrespective of where they occur at any location nationwide. With such a fund, corporate bodies including financial institutions could be made to pay a certain percentage of their profits into the fund. Government officials and parliamentarians should also be charged a special levy as their sacrificial contribution into the fund. And finally a special tax regime should be instituted to ensure sustainability of the fund.
Given that the GNFS lacks the capacity to fight petroleum fires, should there be a major fire outbreak at any of our oil installations including the Ghana Jubilee Field, off the shores of Cape Three Points only God knows the devastation that is likely to occur. To avert this, it is fair the oil exploration and marketing companies are made to help in equipping the GNFS with equipments such as fire fighting helicopters, ships and foam making machines.
Thank God it was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that was gutted by fire and not the Ghana Education Service (GES) or the Controller and Accountant Generals' Department. I can bet you on my last dollar that it would have taken several months for teachers in particular, and all workers to be paid their monthly salaries. And one could imagine the untold hardships some workers would have gone through. Perhaps the October 22 fire outbreak is a blessing in disguise and a wake-up call on all heads of ministries, departments and agencies to reconsider seriously the issue of building information back-up systems, as this could check corrupt officials who engage in malpractices and sets offices on fire to hide their shady deals.
Rear Admiral Matthew Quarshie, speaking at the 50th Anniversary of the Ghana Navy on Saturday, October 24, called on the government to resource the Navy as it is ill-equipped to enable the Navy patrol and protect our territorial waters against drug traffickers, illegal fishing activities and other criminals.
This is a worthy call especially with our oil find. I hope the government will listen to him and respond to the needs of the Ghana Navy. My only worry was that in appealing for assistance from the government, the navy exposed itself, which could be exploited by criminals.
The time to act decisively is now or never. We should not wait for another fire disaster before committees are set up to investigate a possible arson attack, which is a waste of the tax payers' money anyway. We should aim at preventing fire outbreaks, or even when they occur the GNFS stations nationwide should have the capacity to lessen their effect.
Mr. President, Ghanaians are looking up to you, your cabinet and the legislature to show leadership in the wake of the rampant fire outbreaks before we are overtaken by an inferno.
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