Accra: A Dutch fire expert, Mr. Johan Tuitert, has paid a private working visit to Ghana to support national efforts to curb recurring market fires and enhance the safety and operational capacity of firefighters. The visit, which focused on identifying practical and sustainable solutions, enabled Mr. Tuitert to engage closely with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and assess key challenges confronting the Service, including market fires, drowning incidents, and risks to frontline personnel.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Tuitert, a Chief Fire Officer with more than 40 years of experience in the Netherlands, was widely recognized for his expertise in solving complex fire service challenges and developing long-term operational strategies. His visit aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration in training, firefighter protection, and improved emergency response systems.
As part of his field assessment, the Dutch expert toured selected beaches and swimming pools in Accra to evaluate preparedness for drowning prevention and water rescue operations. He examined safety arrangements, rescue equipment, lifeguard presence, and response readiness, identifying critical gaps and opportunities for structured interventions and capacity building.
He also visited the Tema and Greater Accra Regional Headquarters of the GNFS, where commanders and personnel outlined logistical and operational constraints affecting service delivery. Mr. Tuitert, in addition, toured major commercial centers, including Tema Community One, Ashaiman, Kantamanto, and Makola markets, to assess congestion, accessibility challenges, and heavy fire loads that continue to pose significant risks and hinder firefighting operations.
Accompanying him was his partner, Nana Benewaa, an international strategic partnership lead and entrepreneur, whose role was instrumental in fostering collaboration and strengthening cross-border partnerships to support humanitarian and safety initiatives. The Dutch expert later held discussions with the Minister for the Interior on potential areas of partnership. This focused on strengthening fire prevention in commercial hubs, enhancing personnel training, facilitating exchange programs, and improving logistics, including the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment.
He engaged the management of the GNFS in a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Fire Officer, Mrs. Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, and explored collaboration in specialized firefighting and hazardous materials training, operational planning, water rescue, and drowning prevention.
Mr. Tuitert commended Ghanaian firefighters for their resilience and dedication despite operating under challenging and resource-constrained conditions. He noted that market fires presented unique operational difficulties, including congested access routes, limited water supply, high fire loads, and exposure to toxic smoke. He emphasized that strengthening preventive strategies and equipping firefighters with modern protective gear would significantly enhance safety and improve response outcomes.
Mrs. Ntow Sapong, on her part, expressed gratitude to the couple for the visit, noting that it would lay a strong foundation for sustained collaboration and long-term capacity for effective emergency response across Ghana. She acknowledged the contributions of Lawrence Appiah Kubi and Daniel Asah for their roles in facilitating the visit and bringing stakeholders together.