GNFS to Receive New Tenders After 10 Years- Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that, Ghana National Fire Service is in urgent need of new fire equipment due to outdated and broken fire tenders, which have not been replaced in nearly a decade.

President Mahama highlighted that, the Fire Service’s priority will be to acquire new fire tenders to replace the outdated and broken ones that are over a decade old.

Speaking today at the Presidency during the presentation to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund ( Mahama Care) by the senior security officer led by the Minister for Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, President Mahama expressed his gratitude for the contributions made under difficult circumstances and mentioned discussions with the Minister of Interior regarding the retooling of services.

“And so we thank you very much for this contribution. I know you work under difficult circumstances, and we’ve actually been discussing with the Minister of Interior how we can retool your services so that you have the equipment and logistics to be able to do your work.” President Mahama emphasized.

According to President Mahama a National Security Council meeting was held this afternoon and a budget of a 1 billion cedis was allocated for the retooling of various services.

“And so we had a National Security Council meeting this afternoon, and I managed to squeeze the Minister of Finance, hand behind his back, and we’ll get a budget of a billion cedis for retooling of your various services.” He said.

He empathizes with the public’s frustration when fire services arrive late and urges Ghanaians for patient, acknowledging the difficult working conditions of fire officers.

“When the fire service arrives late, people get angry, but they just don’t have the fire tenders. The last set of fire tenders were bought almost nine years, 10 years ago, from the late Prof. Mills, there’s not been a retooling. Most of those tenders are broken down. So I urge the public to be patient with our fire officers.” President Mahama urged.

He however highlighted the daily challenges faced by the Ghana Police Service in confronting armed robbers, emphasizing the need for armored vehicles for their patrols.

He noted that, the police currently use light-skinned vehicles, which are inadequate against armed robbers who are well-equipped with AK-47s.

He mentioned that, the need for armored vehicles is stressed to ensure the safety of police officers during patrols.

“The police have to confront armed robbers every day, and you don’t expect them to do it in light skinned vehicles. The armed robbers are well armed with AK47s, they fire back at them. And so getting them armored, plated vehicles for their patrol, highway patrols and things is also something that will look at.” President Mahama assured.

Improving Mobility and Equipment for Immigration and Prisons :

President Mahama further discussed that, Immigration and prisons services are also in need of better mobility, as most of their vehicles are over a decade old and frequently broken down.

He acknowledged the importance of these services in maintaining public safety and security.

He also stressed that, the allocation of new vehicles is considered to enhance the mobility of officers in immigration and prisons services.

“Immigration and prisons; they don’t have mobility. Most of the vehicles you have are 10 years old, broken down, and so we’ll consider getting some vehicles for you, so that you increase the mobility of your officers.” He indicated.

He emphasized the need for the public to understand the difficult working conditions of these services and to support them in their mandate.