The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has warned the public against attacking personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), especially during emergency operations.
His remarks follow a series of disturbing incidents in which firefighters have been assaulted by members of the public, often over perceived delays in responding to emergency calls.
In one recent case, a firefighter was seriously injured, while others were left traumatised while executing their lawful duties.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new fire station at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region, the Minister condemned the attacks and announced stricter measures to protect emergency responders.
“We are going to enhance the safety of our staff from the national fire service. This is a collaboration with the Ghana Police Service. Anytime our fire fighters move to a fire site or move to a place for rescue, the police will be in their company for those who find it interesting to attack them, will be immediately arrested and prosecuted,” the Minister stated.
Despite the ongoing threats, GNFS officers have continued to carry out their duties with dedication.
In the most recent incident, they successfully contained a blaze and prevented further damage to nearby properties, even as some of their personnel faced aggression from bystanders.
The Ghana National Fire Service has also condemned the attacks and pledged to take legal action against the perpetrators.
The Service emphasized that such actions not only endanger the lives of emergency responders but also jeopardize public safety.
The new fire station at Gomoa Fetteh is expected to improve emergency response times in the area and serve as a critical resource for nearby communities.
