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General News of Saturday, 14 June 2003

Source: Times

Cold War In Fire Service

About 90 per cent of the top officials of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) do not talk to each other. The situation is seriously affecting the operations of the service since the chain of command has broken down as a result.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Charge of Brong Ahafo Region, Kwaku Oppong Frimpong revealed this when the Interior Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyeman paid a familiarization visit to the GNFS headquarters in Accra.

He said those involved range from regional commanders to directors and those in top positions at the headquarters. Almost all the top officials at the meeting did not deny the allegation as they sat in silence. According to Mr Oppong Frimpong, the problem needed a drastic solution because it was hindering the progress of the service.

Investigations by the ''Times'' revealed that the situation was due to hatred, victimization and tribalism.

The Interior Minister who was stunned at the revelation asked the GNFS Council to institute appropriate measures to redeem the situation. He said he will not hesitate in removing any top official of the service who failed to perform his duty well because he was at loggerheads with another personnel.