The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) branch in the Atiwa East District Assembly of the Eastern Region has bemoaned the rampant illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, in the community.
According to them, these activities pose a serious threat to their work as they no longer carry out their activities in the forests but prefer mining within the township.
The GNFS stated that after mining, the miners do not reclaim the land.
It explained that whenever there is a fire outbreak out and they respond to rescue properties and lives, uncovered pits in the area hinder their access.
This, it noted, instead of reaching the fire scene quickly, they are forced to take longer routes, delaying their efforts to extinguish the fire.
Speaking to KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH, the Atiwa East District Assembly Fire Commander, Division Officer II (DO2) Michael George Koda, emphasized the need to halt mining in the town.
He stressed that stopping mining in urban areas would enable firefighters to use shorter routes to reach fire scenes quickly, preventing fires from spreading and destroying people’s hard-earned properties.
“In most cases, when fire guts someone’s structure and we do not get there early, they blame us for not discharging our duties accordingly. Meanwhile, they have forgotten that they created manholes in both the middle and shoulders of the roads, and if care is not taken, our water tender will capsize, and lives will be lost,” he revealed.
DO2 Michael Koda made these known during the launch of the 61st National Fire Awareness Safety Week at the Atiwa East District Fire Command on Monday, February 24, 2025, which is expected to conclude on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The Atiwa East District Fire Commander pleaded with the Landowners Association in the area to stop selling lands near main towns to galamseyers for mining.
He indicated that preventing such sales would help save many lives and properties when responding to fire emergencies.
This year’s event was celebrated under the theme: “FIRE SAFETY, THE PILLAR FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOUNDATION FOR OUR SECURITY.”
As part of the program, participants embarked on a float through the principal streets of Anyinam to educate the general public on preventing fire outbreaks at home and workplaces.
DO2 George Koda further explained that whenever fire outbreaks occur, especially in marketplaces, the Central Government has to compensate victims, which costs the country huge sums of money.
“Meanwhile, such wasted money can be channeled into infrastructure projects that would benefit the country. Hence, we must all be vigilant and not engage in things that can cause fire outbreaks,” he advised.
The Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Ambulance Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Junior High School students in Atiwa East all participated in the program to make it successful.
By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.
Source// Obohnewsonline.com.
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