The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has expressed concern over what it describes as a widespread disregard for fire safety regulations among organizations across the country.
This follows a massive fire that gutted the China Mall in the Santasi area of Kumasi on Thursday, October 30.
This fire completely destroyed the building and all goods and property within, leaving vendors with practically nothing.
The mall had been in operation for only about six months before the incident.
Speaking to the media on Friday, October 31, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Peter Tettey, lamented that many organizations fail to prioritize fire safety as a management responsibility.
“It looks as if we’re not taking fire safety measures very serious. Many organizations do not make them a management issue,” he said.
He explained that while implementing adequate fire safety measures comes with costs, it is essential and non-negotiable.
“Many don’t want to make it a management issue because it involves funds,” he noted.
“All over the world fire safety is very expensive, but you shouldn’t therefore compromise on it, you should take it very serious.”
ACFO Tettey added that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
“We will be talking to individuals who are workers, that’s occupants of the structure combined with our own observation of the structure to come out with conclusive probable cause,” he said.
The incident is part of a growing number of fire outbreaks reported in recent weeks, including an outbreak at the Kwapong Nursing and Midwifery Training College today October 31.
