NCCE Wenchi Takes Civic Education Clubs on Educational Visit to Ghana National Fire Service Station

The Wenchi Office of the National Commission for Civic Education organised an educational excursion for selected Civic Education Clubs to the Wenchi Ghana National Fire Service Station to acquaint members with the operations of the Service and expose them to basic fire prevention and control measures.

The visits took place from 3rd to 10th March 2026 and involved Civic Education Club members from Methodist ‘B’, Methodist ‘C’, St. Joe ‘B’, ASWAQ ‘B’, ASWAQ ‘C’, and Noria Junior High School. The exercise was aimed at helping the pupils gain practical knowledge beyond the classroom and appreciate the role of the Ghana National Fire Service in protecting lives and property.

In his welcome address during the visits, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade I, Mr. Moses Sam, explained that the Ghana National Fire Service is mandated by Act 537 of 1997 to prevent and manage undesired fires and related emergencies. He said the work of the Service also includes rescue operations during accidents, response to bee attacks, fire safety education, and the inspection of buildings and equipment to ensure public safety.

Mr. Sam noted that the Service operates on a shift system, making personnel available at all times to respond to emergencies. He advised the pupils to be clear and accurate when reporting fire outbreaks or emergencies, especially in describing the location and nature of the incident. He, however, cautioned them against making prank calls to the Service, stressing that such conduct could attract severe punishment and delay response to real emergencies.

As part of the practical session, each school was divided into three groups and taken through different aspects of the Service’s operations by personnel from the Safety and Education, Investigations, and Operations departments. The pupils were educated on how to prevent domestic fires, use fire extinguishers, and apply soaked blankets or sacks to put out small fires safely.

They were also introduced to some emergency response equipment used by the Service, including tools for felling trees and cutting through vehicles during rescue operations. The demonstrations gave the pupils a better understanding of how firefighters respond to emergencies and the level of discipline, teamwork, and skill required in their work.

Rev. Azaare Ayamga of the NCCE encouraged the club members to share the knowledge gained with their friends, families, and community members. He reminded them that fire safety is a shared responsibility and that young people can play an important role in preventing fire outbreaks in their homes, schools, and communities.

The educational visits ended with the presentation of certificates to deserving students from each participating school in recognition of their active involvement and commitment throughout the exercise. The gesture was intended to motivate the pupils to take civic education seriously, apply the lessons learned, and serve as responsible young ambassadors in their schools, homes, and communities.