Dr Bawumia inaugurates 2nd Fire Service Academy and Training School in Wungu

The Vice-President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, officially inaugurated the country’s second Fire Service Academy and Training School in Wungu, located in the North East Region, on Friday, January 19, 2024.
The newly commissioned state-of-the-art facility boasts a three-storey administration block, well-equipped classrooms, male and female dormitories, a dining hall, and modern training equipment.
This academy is not only the first-ever fire training school in the northern part of Ghana but also the second in the country, complementing the existing one in James Town, Accra.
The Wungu Fire Academy and Training School will conduct a diverse range of comprehensive training programs, encompassing rescue operations, evacuation procedures, decontamination processes, fire prevention and suppression, hazardous materials management, as well as the training of bushfire volunteers, imparting skills and knowledge in bushfire management.
In his address at the commissioning ceremony, Vice-President Bawumia, who also serves as the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the upcoming elections, emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding Ghana’s fire training capacity.
“The commissioning of this new Fire Academy and Training School at Wungu marks an important milestone for the Ghana National Fire Service, the Wungu community, and the nation as a whole,” stated Dr. Bawumia.
He highlighted the strategic decision made by the NPP Government to increase the number of fire training schools in Ghana, citing the expansion from one in James Town to the planned total of four.
The Wungu Fire Academy is the first among three new training schools, with the second one set to be commissioned soon.
“This commissioning means that this will be the second Fire Service Training School in Ghana. Very soon, we will commission the third in Duayaw Nkwanta, and the 4th will be commissioned before the end of this year,” he declared.
Dr. Bawumia underscored the significance of this initiative by pointing out the substantial growth in the number of fire service personnel.
He mentioned that within seven years of the NPP’s leadership, the staff strength of the fire service increased from 7,000 to 15,000.
The Vice President acknowledged the challenges associated with firefighting and stressed the importance of adequately equipping firefighters to effectively manage emergencies.
He expressed confidence that the new facility in Wungu would greatly enhance training, ensuring the Ghana National Fire Service delivers efficient services and, ultimately, saves lives in the country.
“Firefighting is a critical aspect of emergency response, and having a dedicated facility such as this away from Accra will greatly enhance the training of our firefighters and ensure the delivery of the services provided by the Ghana National Fire Service and ultimately save lives in the country,” Dr. Bawumia affirmed