By: Mercy Darko and Ivan Amponsah
The Ghana National Fire Service will from 2023 take delivery of more fire tenders and other resources to enhance their work. In addition, some structures will be built with existing ones upgraded to meet standards. Vice President Mahamudu announced this when he commissioned the Fire Cadet Intake 22 in Accra.
He noted that the role of the Fire Service has become critical as safety and the need to protect lives and properties are paramount in every economy. Dr Bawumia while commending the Fire Service for being innovative in the discharge of their duties, reiterated government’s commitment to continue to provide the security services with the needed resources to help them execute their mandate without any hindrance.
Established in 1964, the Fire Academy and Training School, FATS has over the years been the center of excellence for professional training in theoretical and practical aspects of firefighting, risk management and emergency response in the Sub Region. Officers are taken through courses such as Fire Sciences, Fire Safety and Operation, Fire Rescue Courses, Fire Safety, Bush fires and Traffic Extrication during the ten-week study at the Fire Academy.
The Cadet Officer Intake 22 graduation witnessed Four hundred and forty-three Officer Cadets graduating, having passed the requisite qualifications.
The graduating officers are part of the 2000 Officers given the approval by the government to be recruited this year. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumiah applauded the officers for the sacrifice to serve in a noble profession such as firefighting. He charged the officers to execute their mandate of fire prevention and protecting lives and properties. He said plans are ongoing to provide more logistics for the service to enhance their work.
Officer Cadet Darling Naa Norkor Yeboah took home the overall best officer Cadet award. The Commandant’s Award was taken by Officer Cadet Vera Awinbono Ananga.
