The Ghana National Fire Service has confirmed the complete dousing of the devastating fire that raged for two days at the Blue Light Arena in Adum, Kumasi.

The Friday dawn inferno, which left over 5,000 traders and shop owners reeling from its impact, was finally brought under control through what the GNFS describes as the “relentless efforts” of its firefighters.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) praised the Ashanti Regional Fire Command and management for their heroic work, confirming that the Blue Light Arena is now rid of any fire.

“The devastating fire has been fully extinguished, thanks to the relentless efforts of our gallant and dedicated firefighters. Well done Ashanti Regional Fire Command. You have done what Napoleon couldn’t do. Sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who supported us in bringing closure to this fire management,” the statement disclosed.

However, some of the affected traders, have criticised the Fire Service, alleging that a lack of water exacerbated the destruction.

They claimed the response to the fire incident was inadequate, which they believe facilitated the fire getting out of control.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Services has responded to the claims, attributing the delays to the congested layout of the arena.

Regional Fire Commander, Assistant Chief Officer 2, Peter Tetteh, indicated that the problem was not lack of water, but lack of access to the burning area.

“We were here minutes after the call about the fire. We have been on the ground since then. It was late when the excavator was brought to create a path for us to enter the arena. If we had that intervention early, we could have salvaged the situation in a very short while. We surrounded the whole place but there was no access.” he said.

ACFO2 Peter Tetteh further explained that firefighters had connected to the Kejetia hydrant early in the operation, dismissing water scarcity as the issue.

“We were connected to the Kejetia hydrant already and began…. It was not about water, but accessibility. Four tenders were brought, tankers were available, water cannon came, and the ambulance service, the military and the police were also there. The problem was accessibility because when we arrived there was no issue with water. The issue was about accessibility,” he said.

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The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWL) in the Central Region has said that more than 41 per cent of the water it produces and distributes across the region every month could not be accounted for, leading to substantial loss of revenue.

Already, the company operates only 56 per cent of its installed capacity largely due to activities such as illegal mining, farming and construction works which have affected the turbidity of the raw water and bad led to many sources virtually drying up.   

GWL in the region is consequently grappling with exorbitant operational costs, and the loss of such significant amounts exacerbates their plight.

Ing John Eric Kwofie, the Regional Manager of the company, bemoaning the situation, attributed the thefts largely to illegal connection by some unpatriotic citizens through and in a few cases, leakages from burst pipelines and some regular customers who bypassed their meters to avoid billing.

Ing Kwofie expressed the concern during a meeting with the press to mark this year’s World Water Day celebration on the theme: “Glacier Preservation.”

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on March 22 to highlight the importance of fresh water and advocate sustainable management of freshwater resources.

In Ghana, however, the day is being observed under the theme: “Water conservation: Let’s make it our way of life.”

Ing Kwofie announced that as recently as Wednesday, some two customers were apprehended for stealing water and issued a penalty bill to pay.

To tackle the situation, the company had constituted a control team which would commence work soon to clamp down on the illegalities.

He further urged the public to report acts of water thefts in their communities to the company, pledging to treat such information as confidential and reward whistleblowers.

As if the water theft was not enough, the GWL in the Central Region is also dealing with meter theft which the Regional Manager admitted was pronounced across all regions, adding that his office was collaborating with the police to deal with perpetrators of such crimes.

Ing Kwofie assured the public that water production was gradually getting better with improved production and distribution.

He said rains from the Eastern Region had begun filling up the river sources and should it continue, the acute water shortage in the region would be mitigated.

“I must admit that we are not doing full production at these stations, and it will take some time for the situation to normalise across all the affected areas.

“We are hoping that within the next two weeks, if we get enough inflows and reliable power supply, we should be fine because the rains have started,” he stressed

He entreated the public to use water wisely and effectively to ensure an efficient management of the limited treated water.

“We shouldn’t use it to water our lawns, wash our vehicles and other similar things that will affect supply within the affected areas.

“When we manage it well, we will be able to survive the situation during the dry season,” he added. 

Source: GNA

Former Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare

A former Commissioner of the Ghana Police Service, Bright Oduro, pointed to irregular promotions as one of the misdeeds of the outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s “Big Issues” on Saturday, March 22, 2025, the former COP said the basic expectation of a police officer is to deliver on their job and that the decision by the former IGP to effect some promotions by virtue of performance was wrong, especially when some junior officers were elevated above their seniors.

“You should be junior to him your whole life, unless, probably, you do something extraordinary, and then you are promoted. Even in those days, if a junior does something extraordinary and is recommended, especially when you are an officer, as officers, we don’t just promote them. It is your job to do well, to do a diligent job. And so, officers from ASP and above, rarely would you see anybody being promoted,” he stated.

Citing his own time in the police service, Bright Oduro said that even though he had a good record in fighting crime, it never earned him a promotion as it was a requirement of his job.

“I did my part. I never had any promotion. The arrest of dangerous criminals—every dangerous criminal in our time, if you talk about Kombian, if you talk about Ata Ayi, if you talk about Low Ranger, I was behind all these arrests. Did I earn even a single promotion? I didn’t, because it was my job.

“Yet, it’s my job. But if somebody decides to say, ‘Oh, my brother, you did well, let us recommend him for promotion,’ even in my time, if I had been recommended for a special promotion, I don’t think anybody would have spoken about it. But I never benefited, and I wasn’t disturbed because it was my job,” he added.

Questioning some promotions during the tenure of Dr. Dampare, the former COP asked what was exceptional about the performance of some officers that warranted them being elevated even above their seniors.

“So, if an ASP is promoted to DSP the next day to a chief, what has he done that others have not done? And it’s not only one person; the whole junior group, the whole course group, are promoted over and above their seniors, let’s say those who were three jumps ahead of them, and you think they will be satisfied? So they were angry,” he stated.

He added that some decisions, including transfers sanctioned by Dr. Dampare, did not follow due process and therefore caused disaffection within the Ghana Police Service.

President John Dramani Mahama recently relieved Dr. Dampare of his position and appointed COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno in his stead.

While some members of the public criticized the decision, the removal of Dr. Dampare witnessed open jubilation among some police officers who accused him of several misdeeds, such as vindictiveness and victimization.

GA

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Mr. Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, the newly appointed Acting CEO of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), has hit the ground running in his efforts to advance the nation’s integrated aluminium industry. Within less than three weeks of assuming his role, he has outlined a clear vision to contribute over $2 billion to Ghana’s economy. In a call to potential investors, Mr. Ankrah announced that GIADEC is now open to forming partnerships with those who share the goal of establishing a robust integrated aluminium sector in Ghana. He emphasised that investors must also demonstrate both financial capability and industry expertise as key criteria for collaboration.

Image source: LinkedIn (GIADEC)

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Mr. Ankrah has already determined that GIADEC will require over USD 6 billion to fully develop the aluminium value chain in Ghana. During an investor engagement session this week with the African Selection Group (ASG), he shared this estimate and highlighted that depending solely on central government funding would not be a viable option, considering the current economic climate. As a result, seeking partnerships with suitable investors should be a way to go forward.

During the meeting, the Managing Director of ASG, John Kamara, expressed strong interest in collaborating with GIADEC to develop Ghana’s integrated aluminium industry, particularly in retrofitting and modernising the VALCO smelter. He outlined that ASG would invest in two phases in the short to medium term to enhance VALCO’s efficiency and increase its production capacity from 60,000 to over 300,000 tonnes annually.

In Phase 1, VALCO’s production facilities will be upgraded and expanded, implementing energy efficiency measures, undertaking technological upgrades, and modernising the potlines. In Phase 2, an alumina refinery will be built using an advanced, sustainable refining process to develop a stable and cost-effective supply chain of ore to VALCO while reducing dependence on imported raw materials.

Regarding power supply, Mr Kamara noted ASG would explore innovative technologies and alternative energy sources within Ghana’s energy mix to guarantee a reliable power supply for smooth operations.

During the investor engagement session, ASG was also represented by David Woodall, Group Operating Director; Wayne Apted, Chief Financial Officer; and Quinton Charaud, a member of the Finance Team.