Ghana’s Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, is launching an initiative to deploy fire brigades to monitor markets nationwide 24/7.
This move aims to reduce fire outbreaks that have devastated major markets, including the Blue Light section of Kumasi’s Central Business District.
To achieve this, the Ministry will partner with the Ministry of Youth Development to train beneficiaries of the Youth Employment Module in fire safety and related areas.
These trained youths will work alongside fire safety officers to ensure markets are manned around the clock.
“The other thing we want to do, for which we will need and seek your support, is to have fire brigades in all our markets.
Here, we cannot rely on firefighters alone because their numbers will not be enough to cover all our markets. So, we are currently in talks with the Minister for Youth Development.
The Youth Employment model employs many youths; give them to us, and we will train them in fire safety and other related areas so they can join the fire safety officers.”
Muntaka Mubarak emphasized that relying solely on firefighters won’t be sufficient due to their limited numbers.
By involving young people, the Ministry hopes to provide a more effective and sustainable solution to market fires.
This initiative also addresses Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis, which currently stands at 12%.
