Kasapreko Company Limited (KCL), the only indigenous beverage manufacturing company with ISO Certification in Ghana, has donated a fully-equipped fire station worth GH¢400,000 to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

The new Kasapreko Fire Station, which is located close to the Kasapreko factory premises, is to serve the people of Spintex Road and the industrial enclave in Tema West Municipal Assembly.

The Chief Fire Officer, Edwin Ekow Blankson, indicated that the facility’s siting was quite strategic since for a long time the Ledzokuku Municipal Fire Station has had the arduous task of travelling a very long distance to attend to fire calls and accidents on the Spintex Road and its environs.

“I commend highly the efforts of management at Kasapreko Company Limited for the high level of investment put into the opening of this station.

“Government has committed support to the GNFS through the provision of two hydraulic platforms which can facilitate fire-fighting up to fifteen (15) floors. Other fire engines and Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV) will also be procured in the course of the year to boost our fleet,” he said.

The Deputy Interior Minister, Henry Quartey, speaking on behalf of his Minister, Ambrose Dery, at the official opening ceremony expressed satisfaction with the wonderful edifice that Kasapreko has donated to the Fire Service to aid in controlling accidental fires.

“Undesired fires continue to cause significant loss of lives and properties in the country. This situation negatively impacts gross domestic product (GDP) and therefore needs to be given serious emergency attention.

“From January 2019 to date, Ghana have recorded a total of one thousand four hundred and twelve (1,400,12) fire outbreaks - representing an about-28.5 percent increase compared to same time last year, 2018.

“Therefore, the need to provide effective fire cover for communities across the country and intensify fire prevention within communities, markets, and shops and offices cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

He further charged the fire officers of GNFS, Tema Regional Command - who will be posted to the office, to be relentless in their efforts to satisfy the communities of Spintex Road with their fire measures.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and without the necessary cooperation from the public, desired results cannot be achieved. I would therefore like to use this opportunity to call on the district assemblies, traditional rulers, and religious bodies to partner GNFS and help inculcate a strict fire safety culture into the citizenry,” he emphasised.

The Chief Executive Officer, KCL, Richard Adjei said: “The Kasapreko Fire Station is a project anchored under our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), initiative.

“This GH¢400,000 fire facility was sponsored fully by Kasapreko and made possible in partnership with the Fire Department of Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA).”

Also present at the official opening ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah; the MCE of Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA); Traditional Council members of Nungua; and members from corporate organisations within the TWMA.