Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, has pledged to investigate the state of fire tenders and the challenges facing firefighters in the region after witnessing a shocking incident in Brekumanso, a community in the Lower West Akim Municipality.
The Minister, enroute to Akwatia for an official assignment, encountered a burning white pick-up truck that had caught fire shortly after an accident.
Upon stopping at the scene, she was stunned to see fire personnel attempting to douse the flames using palm fronds.
Police officers directing traffic at the scene informed the Minister that the vehicle’s occupants, who had sustained injuries, were receiving treatment at the Asamankese Government Hospital.
Upon engaging with the firefighters, Rita Akosua Awatey was informed that the Asamankese fire tender had been out of commission for over a year.
The personnel further explained that they had made distress calls to neighbouring fire stations, seeking assistance.
Deeply concerned by the situation, the Minister vowed to assess the state of fire tenders across the region upon her return.
Channel One News confirmed that fire stations in Akwatia, Kade, and Nsawam are also without functioning fire tenders, forcing emergency response team to rely on fire stations in Oda and Suhum.
This logistical challenge often leads to delays in response times, exposing firefighters to mob attacks when they arrive late or without adequate equipment.
