The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Northern region has said the numerous speed ramps dotted across the metropolis significantly contribute to its late arrival at fire scenes.

The issue, the GNFS says, is just one of the numerous challenges impeding the effective delivery of services to the public. Most roads in the metropolis are inundated with speed bumps.

Majority of the people in the Northern region use motorcycles as their main means of transport. Some of the riders ride recklessly and without crush helmets, resulting in accidents.

Every year, the Northern regional office of the National Roads Commission (NRSC) reports of accidents involving motorcycles. The speed ramps are therefore to prevent speeding and reduce accidents.

But speaking on Radio Tamale’s morning show, “Wake up Tamale”, a Sub-officer at the Northern regional office of the GNFS, Mr Adam Iddrisu Gbanzaba said the practice caused an obstruction to effective firefighting.

“When they call for fire, we face a lot of challenges when we are heading towards the fire ground. Talk of speed ramps, we have a lot of speed ramps in Tamale. From our office to the Abedi Pele roundabout, if I’m not mistaken, you can count about six or seven speed ramps and this delays our movement or obstructs us when we are moving to a fire [scene],” he said.

Mr Gbanzaba says the GNFS is not factored when these speed ramps are being constructed and urged authorities to consult the service in the construction of the speed ramps.

He also reiterated the GNFS’s call for more fire hydrants in the metropolis. The service has, over the years, complained about the inadequate hydrants which impedes its work.

“Looking at the hydrants situation, we have only one vibrant hydrant in Tamale. If Tamale is expanding and the fire hydrant situation is not growing, it’s a big worry to us at Ghana National Fire Service. So we want more fire hydrants in Tamale,” he appealed.