In a shocking revelation in connection with the welfare of firefighters, Alex King Nartey, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has disclosed that officers of the firefighting division of the service are not covered by any form of insurance.

According to King Nartey, officers who suffer injuries while battling fires or performing rescue operations are left to fend for themselves.

He was however quick to add that should an officer be affected in line of duty, he can seek reimbursement after treatment, a process he termed as lengthy and uncertain.

He made this disclosure during an interview with GHOne TV, on March 22, 2025, while speaking to how the Ashanti Regional Minister chastised his men for laxity while combating fire at the Adum market in Kumasi.

He condemned the minister’s actions stating that it demoralised personnel who risk their lives to protect people and property.

“We don’t have any health insurance. A simple thank you would have sufficed. You could have easily spoken to the commanding officer at that time to get updates, but to create a scene with a camera on you to demoralise firefighters is not right.

“When firefighters get injured at the scene of the fire, they use their own resources to take care of themselves and later apply for refund to be paid to them. So, if at that moment you don’t have money, you would have to go and borrow money from people to be able to take care of yourself,” he said.

His disclosure was in response to the recent remarks by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, during his visit to the scene of the devastating fire outbreak at Adum in Kumasi on March 22, 2025.

Firefighters who had rushed to the scene to contain the blaze reportedly became overwhelmed after it became obvious that their tanker was short of water to contain the fire.

Frustrated by the incident Dr Amoakohene reprimanded the firefighters on duty, demanding an explanation for the vehicle’s presence if it was not filled with water.

Unhappy with how the minister handled the situation, King Nartey came out to express his dissatisfaction with the minister’s reaction, suggesting that a simple gesture of appreciation would have been more appropriate.

The fire, which broke out in a commercial building near the Adum Central Business District, on Friday, March 21, 2025, caused significant losses, burning shops and properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

VPO/EK

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