There’s “Wahala” At The Fire Service

• Posted on October 8, 2013
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Awuku has lambasted the Ghana National Fire Service over allegations that the Service purchased sub-standard uniforms for its personnel.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has since courted controversy regarding the purchase of camouflage uniforms as well as the payment of over GHC 1 million to the supplier of the uniforms, Jild Ventures. Instead of the traditional colours of the GNFS which are red, black and brown; the new uniforms are said to be green, white, red, black and brown; hence igniting public discussions on the deal.

Nonetheless, the Acceptance Board of the Service is reported to have certified the procured camouflage uniforms and tricycles for the service, which were also reported to be of low quality.

The items were locked up in the stores of the GHFS for years.

Since the news broke out on the issue, the Board Chairman of the Service, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, has denied any personal involvement in the contract.

He said, in an interview with Kwame Sefa Kayi last week that his accusers are simply “playing politics” with the issue.

“…they feel now is the time they can pounce on me; leaving the good works we have done so far. I am as surprised as you are. They just want to destroy my hard-earned reputation…but we will make everything public…,” he said.

He recounted that when they realized the uniforms were sub-standard, they rejected them but the suppliers were unhappy with the decision and therefore dragged the Service to court.

The supplier won the case and “before we could say jack, the court had ordered Commercial Bank and all other accounts of GNFS through Bank of Ghana to pay Jild Ventures without our authorization or permission…I think they even took more than GHC 1 million” he indicated.

Despite the explanations given by the Board Chairman, Sammy Awuku is uncertain of the activities that led to the purchase of the uniforms and the other items.

He wondered how the Acceptance Board of the Service failed to notice that the uniforms were not up to standard but went ahead to certify it.

Contributing to a panel discussion programme on Oman Fm, he also questioned the authorities for allowing the suppliers to use different colours for the uniforms, instead of the original colours.

He therefore demanded better explanations because to him, there’s “wahala” at the Fire Service.

“Is the Fire Service a nude brigade that we use it to exhibit indecent exposure? The explanation that the two leaders in charge of it have given goes to confirm that there’s wahala at the Fire Service.”