Koforidua, June 28, GNA - Mr Bartholomew Kofi Nketsiah, Eastern Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has expressed worry about the recent spate of fire outbreaks in the country, resulting in lost of lives and properties.

He called on all Ghanaians to join the fight against fire outbreaks, and said some fires were preventable but they 93however happen because we are less conscious of them." Mr Nketsiah, who said these at the inauguration of the Abetifi Technical Institute (ABTECH) Fire Cadet Corps over the weekend, indicated that between January and June this year, the Region recorded 72 vehicular accidents, in which 18 people sustained injuries and nine died. He gave the assurance that fire outbreaks would be reduced since six out of the 54 fire tenders inaugurated recently by President John Evans Att= a Mills would be given to the Region.

Mr Nketsiah commended the Regional Minister and the Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Region for assisting the GNFS to repair 10 of out its eleven broken fire tenders. He commended the ABTECH for being the first technical institute in the Region to form fire cadet corps, and called on other educational institutions to emulate the action. Mr Nketsiah asked the corps to educate the public on fire fighting and prevention adding that 93officers who upgrade themselves will see themselv= es in the GNFS." Mr Senanu Amevin, Principal of ABTECH, expressed happiness that the Institute had formed the cadet corps to prevent fires and to install discipline in students.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Baffour Awuah, the Kwahu East District Director of Education, tasked management of the Institute to support the cadet corps to be able to deliver on its mandate, adding 93The life span of the cadet corps depends on the school management and the GNFS= ". He advised the students to take their studies seriously to enable them to pass their examinations to qualify them to enrol in the GNFS and other organisations.