Winneba (C/R), March 5, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is to close down all institutions in the country which have failed to acquire fire certificates.

It has therefore advised all private and public institutions to contact the GNFS for directions to comply with the directive to prevent fire outbreaks in the country.

The Eastern Regional Fire Officer, Bartholomeun Nketsiah disclosed this in an interview with the GNA in Winneba. He said a number of institutions have abused the fire service order to acquire fire certificates for far too long, and warned that the service will go all out to prosecute those who fail to adhere to the directive. Mr Nketsiah reminded institutions that, by a legislative instrument Article 17, clause 24 of the fire service Act, which stipulates fire precaution regulation, makes it mandatory for institutions to acquire fire certificates.

The fire officer explained that the acquisition of the fire certificate makes it obligatory for the fire service to cover such institutions from fire hazards.

Mr. Nketsiah said after the acquisition of fire certificates, the fire service would come out and conduct an annual forensic fire audits on their buildings to ensure that services were functioning well.