The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Monday inaugurated a taskforce to ensure fire safety in markets across the country during the Christmas festivities.

The taskforce would be responsible for educating traders on market place fire safety.

Dr Albert Brown Gaizie, Chief Fire Officer of GNFS, briefing the press, said the initiative was critical because during the yuletide most members of the public, especially traders, used electrical gadgets hence the need to intensify education on fire safety.

Dr Gaizie said the taskforce was a joint operational team comprising the Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana Police Service, National Ambulance Service, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the National Disaster Management Organisation.

He said the taskforce would patrol markets, night clubs and industries to educate the public on fire safety measures in preparedness to combat any fire outbreak.

Dr Gaizie said as part of the Service's commitment to ensure fire safety, it had suspended staffs' leave until the end of the Christmas activities.

He urged the public to co-operate with the Service and adhere to fire safety measures as well as engage the services of qualified electricians for their installations.

Dr Gaizie appealed to parents not to allow their children to use fire crackers and candles among other things during the Christmas festivities since they contributed to domestic fire outbreak.

Mr Ohene Mensah Kakra, Executive Member of Greater Accra Market Association, commended the Service for commissioning the taskforce.

He said the association was ready to offer support to the Fire Service and urged the Government to resource the service to perform its work in an effective manner.