A nationwide fire safety awareness programme for second cycle institutions aimed at educating students, teaching and non-teaching staff on how to fight fire at the early stage opened in Accra on Friday.

Dubbed “Fire Safety Awareness for Second Cycle Schools” and organised by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) begun with the Accra Girls’ and St Aquinas Senior High Schools.

The programme took the form of lectures and practical demonstrations to make students and staff aware of the dangers associated with fire in their daily activities at their various schools and work places.

Mr Charles Amoh, Assistant Divisional Officer of the GNFS, noted that fire, which was a combination of any kind of material that could burn through ignorance or carelessness among other things could be prevented when individuals knew how best to control it.

He explained that fire safety as well as the effective use of fire extinguishers should be the work of all, and not only for a selected people.

He, therefore, called on the students, staff as well as the public to be safety conscious.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Prince Billy Anaglate, Divisional Officer, GNFS said the exercise was part of efforts by the GNFS to address the current spate of fires at the second cycle schools.

He explained that the series of fire safety education and training was important and would be taking place in all the regions to sensitise students and staff to take immediate control measures in instances of fire outbreaks, before the firemen arrived.

“As we are here simultaneously, this exercise is also happening in the mosque,” he said.

He said though the exercise was the first time to be happening in second cycle institutions, it would help students and staff to take fire prevention and safety measures seriously.

Mr Anaglate told the GNA that it was the ultimate goal of the GNFS to achieve a zero fire outbreak after the exercise.

Ms Veronica Akapame, Headmistress, Accra Girls’ Senior High School, lauded the GNFS for the training, which she described as timely and educative.

She entreated students and the public to get involved for their own benefit.

Some of the Accra Girls’ students who spoke to the GNA said the training was appropriate especially when there were numerous fire cases in the country recently.