Feature: Give The Devil A Break, 'Hwɛ Han', Ghana

Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) experienced logistical constraints that delayed rescue operations for a fatal accident involving an Accra bound STC bus from Takoradi around 1am about fifteen (15) years ago at the Komenda junction roundabout. Rescue operations were triggered around 6am the following day. The author personally wrote to the Ghana National Fire Service making some recommendations to enhance their work and avert such delays in the future.

The Ghana National Fire Service acknowledged receipt of the letter and assured the author that steps were already in place to acquire flash lights tailored for night operations. Years later, the Melcom disaster struck around Achimota in Accra, where a building collapsed. A Committee was constituted to delve into the cause(s) of the Melcom disaster, but its findings were not made public to the best of the author's knowledge. The article states that the building had been converted into a commercial property without the requisite structural works.

Just before the author went to press, news trickled in that "KINTAMPO'S FIRE TENDER FAILED WHEN NEEDED MOST". The article continued, "TWO CLASHES IN 48 HOURS KILLED 13, INJURIES 45". The author believes that if the rescue mission had been swift and timely, the needless loss of lives could have been averted and or mitigated. The author asks if we have soon forgotten about the Komenda junction incident, the March 22, 2019 accident at Ampoma Nkwanta near Kintampo where over 70 lives perished.