The Queen Mother of Asuofua Traditional Area, Nana Ahenkan Barnie, has made a passionate appeal for support to construct a fire station in the community, located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.
According to Nana Barnie, the Asuofua Traditional Council has already secured and released a parcel of land for the proposed fire post. She is now calling on government authorities, philanthropists, Asuofua natives living abroad, and well-meaning individuals to contribute towards the realization of the project.
The Queen Mother expressed deep concern over the increasing rate of domestic fire outbreaks in the area, which often result in significant losses due to delayed emergency response.
“Whenever there is a fire outbreak, properties are lost because firefighters arrive late from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital or the Manhyia Fire Command. A local fire station will help reduce response time and protect lives and properties,” she stressed.
Nana Ahenkan Barnie noted that frequent domestic and industrial fires have become a worrying trend in the area and emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated fire service post to tackle the situation effectively.
She, however, acknowledged the government’s commitment to local development and thanked authorities for ongoing infrastructure improvements, particularly the construction of the Abrepo to Asuofua-Barekese road.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for Asuofua-Asamang Electoral Area, Mr. Michael Osei Kwaku, has also appealed to the Ashanti Regional Fire Officer to consider establishing a fire station in Asuofua. He emphasized the strategic importance of the district capital having its own fire service, given its distance from the nearest fire stations.
Mr, Osei Kwaku noted that the recent fire incident which destroyed a four-bedroom house highlights the urgency of the matter. He added that the presence of a local fire station could also help in the formation of rural fire volunteer squads to support emergency response.
He also urged residents to take precautionary measures, particularly with the use of gas cylinders and electrical appliances, to help prevent future fire outbreaks.
Both leaders are hopeful that their appeal will be met with swift and positive action to safeguard the lives and properties of Asuofua residents and the surrounding communities.
