The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Peter Tetteh, has strongly condemned comments made by the Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, against firefighters battling the Adum fire.
ACFO II Peter Tetteh, described the Minister’s remarks as “unfair” and “unfortunate,” stating that they had a demoralizing effect on the firefighters.
According to the fire chief, the Minister’s comments were made at a critical moment when firefighters had temporarily paused their operations to allow excavators to create access for more effective firefighting.
“That is actually unfair. I will add, unfortunate because, at that time, all our branches had been lowered to allow the excavators to work and clear the way for us. We were waiting for them to finish so that we could continue, while the tankers were supplying water,” he explained.
The firefighters had been working tirelessly throughout the day, with even the President acknowledging their dedication.
However, the Minister’s comments sparked widespread criticism, with Peter Tetteh, stating that they received several calls after the incident.
“I was not happy, our men were not happy. They were demoralized, so I had to step in as a leader to motivate and encourage them to complete the work,” Peter Tetteh, added.
He emphasized that instead of criticism, firefighters deserved recognition for their relentless efforts in battling the blaze.
“We should be commended; we have done so well and should be motivated to keep working. This incident is overwhelming, we have been fighting this fire for 24 hours without sleep. We should be applauded and encouraged,” he stated.
The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander also urged traders and residents to stay away from the affected buildings due to safety concerns.
“The structure is not safe for people to be moving in and out. The structural integrity is questionable, and we do not want any casualties. So, we advise residents to stay away to prevent any loss of life,” he warned.
Furthermore, Tetteh, called on city authorities to implement recommendations from the upcoming fire incident report to help prevent similar disasters in the future.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has been under scrutiny for his handling of the Adum fire incident.
