Imagine going home from work and meeting your family and properties burnt into ashes? How will you survive this trauma? Who do you go to for help? who is providing counseling to affected parties? Have you ever asked yourself?
Fire outbreak has become rampant and continue to be a big challenge to Ghana anytime it occurs.
Anytime there is fire, people lose their lives, some get injured, properties are lost and on the whole, the economy is affected.
In recent times, especially in January and February 2025, it has been observed that most markets, homes, offices and some institutions across the country experienced fire outbreaks.
Notable amongst them is the Kantamanto fire which took one life, a lot of money and other properties. The incident at kejetia market, that of Saboba E/P Senior High School in the Northern region which took the life of one student dead cannot be forgotten.
Dozens of dwellers at a Nima-Moke, in Asokore Mampong of the Ashanti region were also misplaced after a devastating fire outbreak hit them.
According to the Northern Regional Public Relation Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Divisional Officer ADO II Hudu Baba, from January 1-14, 2025, alone, the Northern Region recorded 30 fire outbreaks and that of February is yet to be penned.
Also in January 2025, there was a fire outbreak at the Techiman Central Market reducing over 100 stalls to ashes and leaving traders in anguish.
One fire incident that is nerve-racking is the one that claimed a nurse from the Kumasi South Hospital, Linda Agyemang, and her three children at Gyinyase in the Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The tears of the Husband of the nurse alone explained how traumatic the situation was for him, the family and even strangers.
Aside from the loss of precious lives, the situation has become alarming.
The Big Question is, what is the government doing for victims?
It is well known that anytime such accidents occur, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Ghana provides relief to victims by donating items and offering temporal places to sleep.
However, looking at the rampant manner in which these fires occur and the damages it causes, it is obvious that NADMO cannot help all victims of these fires, especially those at the markets to recover all their losses.
You may recall that after the famous fire outbreak at the Nkrumah Circle, some victims who survived continue to seek support for their health needs and daily needs.
Despite the existence of NADMO, it appears these victims have been left to their faith and till now, there have not been answers to all the questions on why they did not get the full support of the then government.
Knowing the devastating effects fire outbreak bring to victims, I believe the Government should establish a permanent emergency fund to support victims in such times.
Again, while I am aware of the sensitisation by the Ghana National Fire service against fire, I am of the view that the education should be taken to communities and it should be done continuously.
While I commend NADMO for coming through when disasters occur, I believe they should step up their efforts in supporting fire victims moving forward.
Aside from the monetary support, I believe these survivors of fire also need counseling to be able to go back to their normal lives and it behoves on Government, family members, churches to support victims in that regard.
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Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa