Kwame Nkrumah Tikese and Dr Frank Amoakohene
Ghanaian journalist Kwame Nkrumah Tikese has criticized the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, for his outburst at personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) during a fire outbreak at Adum, Kumasi, on March 21, 2025.
According to Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, the minister lacks the technical expertise to assess the fire incident and, therefore, had no right to reprimand the fire officers in the manner he did.
Speaking on his Okay FM morning show on March 25, 2025, he accused the minister of chasing social media fame instead of focusing on his core responsibilities.
“The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Amoakohene, is engaging in too much showmanship. Now he moves around with bloggers, looking for attention. Since when did a medical doctor turn into a fire officer for him to go to a fire scene and start ranting?
“Does it mean that the fire service personnel present had no knowledge of how to quench the fire? Why did you get angry and start raising your voice at them?” he questioned.
He questioned the minister’s authority and understanding of fire emergencies, arguing that the firefighters were trained professionals who knew what they were doing.
Kwame Nkrumah Tikese further challenged the minister to take action against illegal mining (galamsey), which is rampant in the Ashanti Region, instead of engaging in unnecessary public drama.
“If you really want to show leadership, channel that energy into fighting galamsey, which is destroying our lands and water bodies.”
He also warned Dr Amoakohene that his actions could tarnish his reputation and make him the worst Ashanti Regional Minister in history if he did not change his approach.
“Let me advise you as my junior brother, there was no clear access to the fire scene, so what did you expect the fire service personnel to do? Fly?
“The job is not about public showmanship. You have no technical know-how on fire outbreaks. If not for coincidence, how would a medical doctor become an Ashanti Regional Minister? He needs serious advice.”
In a viral video from the scene of the Adum Market fire, Dr Amoakohene was captured calling out firefighters for failing to show enthusiasm in fighting the blaze.
AM/KA
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