The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced the introduction of a new insurance scheme aimed at supporting Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) personnel who sustain injuries whilst on duty.
Speaking during an interview on Pan-African Television with presenter Kwesi Pratt Junior, the Minister explained that this initiative marks a drastic departure from previous protocols, which forced wounded firefighters to fund their own healthcare.
The freshly launched framework, developed in partnership with SIC Life Insurance, guarantees an initial sum of GH₵50,000 to cover immediate clinical costs.
Additionally, the policy allocates GH₵100,000 to support those whose rehabilitation requires a prolonged absence from the workplace.
Reflecting on the historical challenges faced by personnel, the Interior Minister highlighted that fire officers risk their lives daily to save others yet previously lacked fair welfare support.
He further indicated that the administration prioritised the resolution of this issue, as the President had directed for the welfare gaps to be addressed swiftly to ensure that personnel feel protected and valued when risking their lives for the nation.
He described the situation as the most pathetic thing he could imagine.
He said in the past officers had to find money to treat themselves and, when they got better, they submitted the bill to their superiors, who would then forward it to the sector Minister before it got to the Finance Ministry.
This arrangement, he noted, was terrible.
He stressed that fire officers risk their lives daily to save others yet previously lacked fair welfare support, which necessitated funding their own treatment in the event of injury.
To address this, he worked with James Agyenim Boateng, the head of SIC, and the package was introduced.
“Graciously, we were able to come out with a package for the fire officers. So now we have a situation where, when you’re injured on the line of duty, at least Ghc50,000 is made available immediately to be able to help you as an insurance. We have insured all our fire officers. If you get injured, and that is serious enough that you have to stay home, then you get Ghc100,000 as insurance. Unfortunately, if the person loses their life, it is also Ghc100,000.”
He admitted that the amount was small, but he was quick to add that it was a good beginning.
He said this has been operating for a period of nine months and, from the evaluation, it worked so well that officials are planning to extend it to other security services.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
