The Bono Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer II Cecil Addo, has appealed to the government for immediate assistance in acquiring more fire tenders and essential equipment.
This, he said, would significantly boost the Service’s ability to handle emergencies effectively.
In an interview, ACFO II Addo highlighted that while 11 out of the 12 fire tenders assigned to the region are operational, many are in poor condition and require urgent repairs.
Data from the GNFS indicates a troubling rise in fire incidents in the Bono Region, increasing from 178 cases in the first half of 2024 to 197 during the same period in 2025—a jump of 11%.
ACFO II Addo attributed this increase primarily to human activities, particularly the misuse of electrical appliances.
While he reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to address fire outbreaks, he cautioned that operational challenges are hindering their efforts and called for immediate government support.
“We are determined to reduce fire outbreaks, but our efforts are hampered by the poor state of our fire tenders. We need urgent support from the government to replace and augment the fleet and other essential tools,” ACFO II Addo stressed.
He also raised concerns regarding the state of fire hydrants in the region, many of which have been obstructed, sealed off, or are affected by low water pressure, complicating firefighting efforts.
To combat fire outbreaks and enhance public awareness, ACFO II Addo shared that plans are being developed to establish new fire stations in Chiraa and Dumasua.
Additionally, the GNFS in Bono has put together four task teams dedicated to ramping up fire prevention initiatives.
“We’ve established market education teams, house-to-house sensitization groups, fire patrol teams, and even stationed a standby fire tender at the market at night to respond swiftly to emergencies,” he said.
He further urged individuals and institutions in the region to lend their support to the GNFS, stressing that the Service cannot effectively operate without community backing.
