The Accra Girls Senior High School (SHS) on Wednesday emerged the winners of the 2023 Fire Safety Educational Competition organised by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Accra.
The two representatives of the school, scored 33 points to beat contestants from six other schools, and received the ultimate prize, comprising GH¢2,500 and a trophy.
St. Thomas Aquinas came second with 30.5 points, followed by Labone SHS and Accra Academy (third) with 27 points each; Accra High SHS, fourth with 26.5 points, and Osu Presbyterian SHS, fifth with 25 points.
They all received cash prizes for participating in the competition which was part of the annual fire safety campaign and the GNFS’ 60th anniversary celebration.
Earlier, the GNFS Director in charge of Safety, Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong said the contest was introduced last year with participants from basic schools, but this year they decided to involve SHS.
“We want to get the fire safety education across all levels in the educational sector.
This quiz will heighten your level of awareness and make you good ambassadors of fire safety in your schools.
“We have heard of recent fire outbreaks in some school dormitories and we are saying never again will it happen.
We will do all it takes to eliminate fire occurrence in schools and take steps to protect you through intensive fire education and other measures,” she said.
DFCO Sapong said the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for the Interior had expressed their commitment to inculcate fire safety education into the educational curriculum to help the service establish it first basic school in the country.
The contest was interspersed with band music from the GNFS. Fire Officers whose alma mater contested could not hide their joy as they cheered on the contestants from their schools.
BY DEBORAH TEIKO-MARTEY