The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, found himself in a heated confrontation with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while battling a devastating fire at the Blue Light Arena in Adum, Kumasi.
Shouting does not quench the fire,” but “Why did you lie that you have enough water in the tank?”
These were the key phrases making headlines as tensions flared between the Minister and the institution responsible for managing the crisis while the fire raged in Adum on Friday.
A catastrophic blaze broke out on Friday, ravaging over 5,000 shops and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The fire, which started in the early hours, continued unabated until it was eventually brought under control by Sunday morning. The scene was one of chaos, confusion, and intense frustration, particularly among those trying to mitigate the disaster.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, became a focal point in a highly publicized confrontation with the fire service team on the ground. The Minister, visibly upset and frustrated by the slow response to the fire, confronted fire service officials with harsh criticisms.
His accusations centered around the lack of water in a fire truck that was meant to assist in controlling the flames.
In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the Minister is seen approaching the fire service personnel and, in an agitated tone, demanding to know why they had not been able to control the blaze sooner. He repeatedly shouted at the operatives, accusing them of misleading him about their preparedness to tackle the inferno.
“Why did you lie to me? You told me you had enough water, so why is this tank empty? Move it out of here!” he was heard saying.
The Minister’s emotional outburst, captured on video, sparked widespread attention, with many expressing concern over the apparent lack of professionalism in the exchange. The image of the Regional Minister openly clashing with fire service personnel only added to the confusion and tension of the situation.
Voice of Dr Frank Amoakohene
Meanwhile, Alex Nartey, a member of the GNFS Public Relations department, earlier criticized the Minister for his remarks, stating, “Shouting doesn’t quench the fire.”
Voice of Alex Nartey
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