Our operations are being hampered by galamsey activities – Ghana National Fire Service – Skyy Power FM

The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Service, ACFO1 Fredrick Ohemeng says their operations are being hindered by illegal mining activity known locally as galamsay.

Speaking to Skyy News at a One Day Workshop organised for the media on Fire Safety and Precautions, AFCO1 Ohemeng said water is the main weapon for the fire service but they’re not getting the needed volumes they require.

He added that in times of major emergency, what the national fire does is fall on open streams and rivers to collect water but because of the galamsay activities, they are not able to do that anymore due to the deplorable state of these water bodies.

He said, “Illegal mining is becoming a menace to several sectors of the economy, what we have realised is that the Ghana Water Company is not even getting the needed volumes of water they need, how much more we the citizens and the Ghana National Fire Service… All these water bodies have been so devastated and polluted for the purposes that it requires.”

He added that when it comes to firefighting, it is a shared responsibility but the general public is adamant about taking safety precautions against fire outbreaks, he advised individuals to have adequate protection like a smoke detector, and fire extinguisher to detect and fight fire at the early stages.

“You have to take it upon yourself as an individual that you have fire safety within your own premises, being it household or your business centre.”

ACFO1 Ohemeng added that when it comes to firefighting, the public must stop interfering in the work of the Ghana National Service as they are well-trained personnel with high knowledge of firefighting.

“When we get to the fire scene, we implore the general public to leave us and don’t interfere in the work we do… Our men are well trained for this job and have adequate men to deal with any kind of fire.”