Ghana National Fire Service has adjudged Akyem Tontro Fire Volunteers as 2023 national best fire volunteers squad.
In a short presentation ceremony held at Akyem Tontro in the Abuakwa North Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana, on the 19th January, 2024, DOII George Michael Kodah, Abuakwa North Municipal Fire Commander, explained that, the proclamation was made on the 23rd of November, 2023 during the National Anti-bushfire Campaign at Nsawam in the Eastern Region which saw all fire volunteers across the country attending.
They were presented with hundred (100) pieces of machete and a thousand (1,000) Ghana Cedis Cash.
DOII George Michael Kodah, urged the squad to be alert this harmattan season emphasizing that, fire outbreaks are predominant and called on all to observe fire safety standards to curb fire outbreaks in the Municipality and the country as a whole.
He further admonished, the chiefs and other land owners to engage the Municipal Assembly going forward to help in providing proper layouts of their new settlements to improve accessibility whenever an inferno occurs.
Mr Richard Tetteh Kwasi, Leader of Tontro Fire Volunteers, said the award has motivated the squad immensely.
He expressed their profound gratitude to the Ghana National Fire Service and Government for recognizing their efforts in fire fighting and added that, they will intensify fire education in their enclave to minimize fire outbreaks.
He called on seasonal farmers who would want to burn their farms for cultivation to consult the fire volunteers for the necessary assistance to avoid bush burning.
Nana Oscar Tawiah, Kyidomhene of Akyem Tontro, commended the Fire Volunteers Squad for the national honours and said, more is expected of them as fire sensitisation and fighting is mentioned in the community.
He further thanked the Ghana National Fire Service and Government for recognizing the works of the volunteers and pleaded with government to migrate or absorb some of the volunteers onto the mainstream fire fighting since most of them have acquired basic training in fire fighting and have demonstrated as such.
Also present at the short ceremony were, DOIII Joseph Dodobi, 2nd Incharge, ADOI Godfred Asare, Municipal Fire Safety officer, ADOI Joseph Ntow, incharge Municipal Rural Fires, 2nd incharge Damascus Appenteng, some Tontro traditional heads, Mr Emmanuel Odaatei, Tontro Chief farmer and the press.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Nana Kwasi Asare
