The service will also focus on building the capacity of its existing human resource through workshops and in-service training to be able to deal with the complexities of modern fire fighting.

Speaking at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Accra yesterday, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Mr Albert Brown Gaisie, said the scheme of the service was also being reviewed to improve staff welfare.

The event brought together top management members of the GNFS, personnel of the service, some clergymen and a section of the public.

The Event

Amid scripture reading, joyful dancing to melodious songs from the Fire Regimental Band and Fire Vibrate Choir, the worshippers thanked God for seeing them through the year. Special prayers were said by the clergymen for the peace of the nation, particularly the recent peaceful general election.

Mr Gaisie, while thanking God for protecting the personnel of the service, announced that measures had been put in place to reduce risks associated with their work.

“Some personnel of the service had worked for more than 10 years without promotion and that affected their output. However, from 2014, deliberate steps have been taken by the management and board of the service to promote 80 per cent of those personnel.

“We believe that even though we have taken delivery of fire engines and other equipment, those items do not prevent fire. It requires a motivated fire officer to do so. We are, therefore, focusing on building the capacity of our officers to promote fire education,” he added.

Mr Gaisie said further that efforts had been stepped up to ensure that the initiative to build a modern fire service training school came to fruition, following the cutting of the sod for commencement of work on that project earlier this year.

Sermon

Evangelist Dr Abboah Offei, who delivered the sermon on the “Favour of God”, explained that when the favour of God was upon a person or a country, it engendered prosperity and development.

Evangelist Offei urged individuals to always pray for favour and lead lives that would be pleasing to God.

“If Sarah found favour in the eyes of God, then you will also find favour this Christmas and as we enter into a new year,” he prophesied.