1,000 Fire Service recruits under training ‘sacked’

About 1,000 Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) trainees have been asked to go home until further notice.

The trainees, made up of recruits and cadet, were due to go through the final phase of their training at the Fire Academy and Training School in Accra when the directive was issued by the Chief Fire Officer, Edwin Ekow Blankson.

They had successfully completed a three-month internship at the various fire stations across the country.

No reasons were given for the directive contained in a letter dated April 1 and addressed to all Regional Fire Commanders and the Commander of the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS).

The said letter asked the regional fire commanders to effective April 5 release the recruits and cadet trainees who were interning with them as part of the recruitment and training.

It however directed the first, second and the third batches who have received appointment letters and are being paid allowances, to remain at post.

Meanwhile, the letter read in part that “appropriate steps are being taken to authenticate documents and other information submitted to the Service by the trainees concerned.

“Only those who satisfy the requirements for employment into the Ghana National Fire Service shall be recalled to participate in the final phase of the training programme,” it added.

Despite the assurance that the affected trainees will be recalled to conclude the final phase of the training, some appear unconvinced.

Some of them say they have indirectly been “sacked” by the GNFS and that the letter asking them to go home until further notice is just to put dust in the eyes of the general public to avoid criticism against the government.

The Public Relations Department of the GNFS headquarters has confirmed the directive to 3news and agreed to clarify the matter further on Midday Live on TV3 on 12 o’clock today.