By Charles Tawiah, GNA
Atwima Manhyia (Ash) Dec 29, GNA – The government has donated relief items and financial support to the eleven surviving victims and the relatives of the six persons, who died in the fire disaster, which occurred at Atwima-Manhyia in the Ashanti Region.
The items included 120 bags of rice, 20 bales of secondhand clothing, 40 cartons of soap, and one hundred pieces of blankets, all valued at GHS 320,000.00 as well as a cash amount of GHS 30,000.00.
Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, Director General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), who made the presentation on behalf of Alhaji Muntanka-Mubarak Mohammed, the Interior Minister, said the government would continue to work towards the safety, security and welfare of the people.
He said the incident was unfortunate, heartbreaking and a great concern to the government and would be treated as such.
This he said would be done through the collaborative efforts of government, landowners and developers, landlords and tenants to adopt precautionary measures that could protect houses from destruction.
He stressed the need for measures that would help protect lives and property at all times.
Mr Peter Tetteh, (ACFO II), Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) sensitized the people on the proper use and handling of electric power in homes, especially, during the dry season and said there was always the need for caution.
He said, the use of electrical and other inflammable appliances as well as gas cylinders for cooking, ironing and other domestic chores required vigilance to avoid disasters.
He, therefore, urged the residents to adopt safety methods and make them their priority when dealing with such gadgets to protect their lives and properties.
Mr. Tetteh attributed the cause of the deaths to smoke that blocked the deceased from escaping and eventually got burnt.
This, he said, necessitated the need for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in homes as a protective tool.
Mr. Wisdom Osei Boamah, Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said the incident left a deep scar on the hearts of both the authorities and the citizens in the area.
He, however, encouraged the victims and the bereaved families to comfort themselves as the government was committed and behind them in such difficult times.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade