–As His Colleagues Demand His Head
Whiles traders in the various markets hit with the devastating inferno across the country and well meaning Ghanaians alike are lamenting on their lost with calls on the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to up their game, some fire personnel at this trying times are threatening to lay down their tools over ruthless treatments.
The aggrieved fire personnel, mainly from the Accra Metropolis are raging over what they described as ?dictatorship, intimidation, vindictiveness, gross disrespect and inhumane treatment by the Greater Accra Metropolitan fire officer, Anna Obeng, an allegation she rudely declined to comment on.
At this crucial times when news of fire outbreaks have become so common that it is being regarded like the death of a mosquito, the GNFS personnel have given a one week ultimatum to President John Mahama and the GNFS Board to ?get rid? of Anna Obeng or they will embark on a sit down strike to drum home their demands.
Speaking to The Al-Hajj on condition of anonymity, the fire personnel explained that ?Anna Obeng does not have respect for her colleagues and subordinates?she insults us the way that pleases her; she treats us like slaves?she sits in her house and whatever comes in her mind she imposes it on us without considering the effect it will have on us?
According to them there was an occasion when Anna Obeng ordered the Accra striking force to beat up a fire officer in uniform in the full glare of the public because he delayed in carrying out an order from the Metro Fire Officer due to some genuine reasons.
?Just recently, she ordered the striking force to beat up one of our colleague in the presence of market women for failing to signed a query letter that she issued to him under strange circumstances?it is against the laws governing the GNFS for a fire officer in uniform to be hounded by the police, military or Striking Force, but Anna Obeng turned a blind eye to this and allowed our colleague to be brutalize,? they alleged.
One of the fire officers (name withheld) explained that, on Tuesday, October 2012, Edward Anum, a fire personnel stationed at the Makola office who suffered a waist injury in his attempt to jump into a moving fire tender to attend to a reported fire incident around the Accra hockey pitch was maltreated by Anna Obeng.
The fire officer noted that, though Anna Obeng was well aware of what happened, she formed a committee to investigate the incident, adding ?interestingly, the committee?s report rather faulted Edward Anum, and as a sign of punishment for him, Anna Obeng ordered Edward Anum to go on a sensitization program at the Makola market whiles he was in intense pains.?
?Whiles Edward Anum went for a checkup at the 37 hospital on his off day, Anna Obeng asked him to report to work; as a sign of respect he sent a correspondent to inform her of his inability to comply with the order.?
The fire officer went on to say that, as callous as the Metro Fire Officer was, she issued a query letter to Edward Anum, which he declined to sign, adding ?because he declined in signing the letter to attest that he had received the query letter, Anna Obeng called the Greater Accra Striking Force to arrest him; out which he was beaten and put behind bars?
The officer added that, Edward Anum was badly beaten by the striking force with ?some onlookers hooting at him as a thief, and as if that was not enough, he was lookedup at the police headquarters?
As a result of the brutalities, a medical report, a copy of which is in the possession of The Al-Hajj dated May 2 , 2013 from the 37 military hospital revealed that, Edward Anum have developed some fault with his backbone.
When The Al-Hajj contacted Anna Obeng to respond to the allegations, she shouted on the phone ?tell those who reported me to you that, you are just a mere journalist who cannot do anything to me. Tell them to report me to anybody they think can do something to me not you?
In the light of this, the fire officers have threatened to embark of a sit down strike if nothing is done to ?get rid? of Anna Obeng with a week.
?She has been a pain in our neck, her action has resulted in the death of some fire personnel, and we are telling the President and the GNFS board to do something about it before the inevitable happens? they threatened.
Source: A. A Yayra (The Al-Hajj)
