The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region has launched an Inter-Market Fire Safety Quiz Competition aimed at educating traders and market leaders on fire prevention and management.
The initiative forms part of efforts by the Service to reduce fire outbreaks in major trading centres across the region through public education and stakeholder engagement.
Speaking at the launch, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO1 Peter Tetteh, said the competition is designed to equip market women and traders with practical knowledge about fire safety.
“We are allowing them to know what fire is, what will cause a fire outbreak, and what will prevent a fire. When they know, they are the best people to prevent fires from occurring. And even when they occur, they will know how to manage them in their incipient stages,” he stated.
ACFO1 Tetteh disclosed that for between January and February this year, the region has recorded over 200 fire incidents with market first numbering about five.
While the figures show a marginal reduction compared to the same period last year, ACFO1 Tetteh emphasized that fire prevention remains a shared responsibility.
“Fire safety or fire prevention is a shared responsibility. You are at your homes and workplaces. You use the things that can cause fire outbreaks. So, we want you to get involved. Every individual must know what fire is, how to prevent it, and how to manage it,” he urged.
Managing Director of Kumasi City Market, Ernest Afayam, commended the Fire Service for the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary.
“It is more or less informing and educating us on how to ensure fire safety in our various markets. I believe it is something we must embrace,” he said.
Mr. Afayam noted that a single act of negligence could have devastating consequences for traders and the larger community.
“If as a result of someone’s negligence there is a fire outbreak here, it is going to affect the larger population. Fire safety education must be ongoing to create awareness so that traders become very conscious and put the measures into practice to avert further calamities,” he added.
The Inter-Market Fire Safety Quiz Competition is expected to bring together various markets across the Ashanti Region to compete while deepening their understanding of fire prevention strategies.
Officials say the programme will not only promote healthy competition among markets but also strengthen grassroots participation in fire safety advocacy.
At the end of the keenly contested competition for Zone 1, Kumasi City Market emerged as the overall winner, beating other Atonsu, Tafo, and Asafo markets.
