By Naa Shormei Odonkor, GNA
Kumasi, March 04, GNA – The Kumasi City Market has won the Zone One inter-market fire safety quiz competition, organised by the Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Kumasi.
Contesting against three market centres, the Kumasi City Market won with a total score of 36 points, followed by the Tafo Market with 33 points, then the Asafo Market with 27 points, and the Atonsu Agogo New Market, with 22 points.
All the competitors were awarded certificates of participation, a sum of money, soft drinks and biscuits.
The winner in addition, received a trophy and a fire extinguisher.
The competitors were quizzed on basic knowledge about the GNFS, the causes of fire outbreaks in market centres, combustible materials found in the market and fire safety precautions.
During the programme, fire officers held a demonstration for traders and participants on how to handle fire outbreaks before the arrival of the firefighters at the scene.
Additionally, a group of traders from the Asafo market performed a short drama on fire safety to educate their colleagues to avoid setting fires at market centres.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) I, Mr Peter Tetteh, the Ashanti Regional Commander of the GNFS, expressed great joy at the level of knowledge the traders exhibited during the quiz.
He noted that, the traders were not trained fire officers but were able to answer most questions demonstrating their understanding of what caused fire outbreaks, the duty of the GNFS and implementing fire safety precautions.
“I am happy that laymen have been able to prove their knowledge of the duty of the GNFS,” ACFO I Tetteh said.
He said the inter-market fire safety quiz competition was instituted by the Chief Fire Officer, Daniella M. N. Sarpong, as one of the activities to educate citizens and traders on fire outbreaks and their prevention.
ACFO I Tetteh assured that the GNFS would continue to implement its mandate to protect lives and properties from fire and other disasters in the country.
Mr Ernest Inusah Affayam, the Acting Managing Director of the Kumasi City Market, thanked the GNFS for the inter-market fire safety quiz competition initiative.
He encouraged the traders to implement the knowledge gained in fire safety to ensure safe and smooth economic activities in the country.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo