GNFS personnel attend decentralisation sensitisation workshop

Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has urged personnel of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to facilitate the decentralisation process in the service.

He noted that through the Decentralisation and Local Government Reform Programmes, Ghana had succeeded in promoting dialogue and participation of large numbers of people in decision-making at all levels of governance.

Mr Oppong-Fosu gave the advice when he opened a three-day decentralisation sensitisation workshop for GNFS in Koforidua on Friday, on the theme: “Fire Sector Decentralisation- Policy Implications and Implementation Road map.”

“The reform programmes have further influenced people’s interest in democratic tenets of freedom, human rights and accountable governance,” he said.

Mr Oppong-Fosu said the service is an integral part of the district assembly hence the need for the personnel to do everything possible to support the Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies (MMDAs) in times of conflict and natural disasters.

“The Ministry on the other hand will collaborate with the MMDAs to support you with the necessary logistics to facilitate your work.”

Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, Chairman of the GNFS Council said the service is a critical partner in the Local Government System.

He said by the Local Government’s core mandate as stipulated in the Local Government Act 2003, Act 656, the GNFS is to provide among other things, services such as environmental, amenity, protection and trading.

Alhaji Sorogho said: “The Government has…taken a bold step to retool and revamp the… GNFS through the procurement of state of the art fire appliances and equipment and has also intensified the training of personnel, both locally and abroad to ensure the service stood up to its challenges.”

It includes operational equipment such as Foam Compound, Fire Fighting Suits and Fire Combat Boots among things as well as ensuring that the Road Traffic Collation Unit is well equipped in view of the spate of accidents.