The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, has announced that he is working on a bill to introduce a levy on petroleum products to create a dedicated fund aimed at modernizing the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
He made this statement during a visit to Adum PZ, where a recent fire destroyed a four-storey commercial building, causing millions of cedis in damages.
The proposed levy would apply to each litre of fuel purchased by the public, with the proceeds used to buy fire trucks and other critical equipment for the GNFS, boosting the Service’s effectiveness.
Speaking to the press at the fire scene on March 26, the MP for Asawase emphasized the long-standing neglect of the GNFS despite its vital role in the country. He pointed out that the last time the country purchased a fire truck for the GNFS was in 2014.
“When I took office as Minister of the Interior, I found that the most recent fire truck was acquired in 2014. That’s over ten years ago. As you know, vehicles tend to become outdated in about six or seven years, yet the newest one we have is over a decade old,” he said. “In all these ten years, we haven’t bought a single new fire truck. Sometimes, we unfairly blame fire officers for problems, but they are working with outdated equipment, and they endure a lot of frustration themselves.”
Hon. Mubarak revealed that his office is preparing the bill, which will soon be presented to the Cabinet for approval.
“I am drafting a proposal for the Cabinet to consider allocating 10 pesewas per litre for fire services. Even if we can dedicate just five pesewas per litre, we will have a sustainable fund to support the fire service,” he added.
