A week after a fire ravaged the home of a former minister in Ghana, his daughter has died from her injuries. Ewurama Ameyaw Akumfi, a teacher and law student, passed away on Thursday at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, where she was receiving treatment.
Ewurama was the daughter of Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, the former Minister of Education and the current Board Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA). He was not at home when the fire broke out on Saturday, December 9, as he was attending a funeral.
According to a report by Ghana Web, the fire started from an explosion in one of the rooms of the house, located in Techiman, in the Bono East Region. Ewurama, who was the only one at home, tried to escape but suffered severe burns. She was rushed to the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, before being transferred to Accra.
The fire destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of Ghana Cedis, including furniture, appliances, documents, and personal belongings. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
A Promising Life Cut Short
Ewurama Ameyaw Akumfi was in her early 30s and had a bright future ahead of her. She was a teacher by profession and was pursuing her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
She was described by her friends and family as a smart, kind, and cheerful person, who had a passion for education and justice. She was also active in her church and community, where she volunteered for various causes.
Her death has shocked and saddened many people, who have taken to social media to express their condolences and tributes. Some of her classmates and lecturers at KNUST have also shared their memories of her, praising her academic excellence and leadership skills.
A Call for Fire Safety Awareness
The tragic incident has also raised concerns about fire safety in Ghana, where fire outbreaks are common and often result in fatalities and property damage. According to the GNFS, there were 4,571 fire cases recorded in the country in 2023, with 112 deaths and 383 injuries.
The GNFS has attributed most of the fire incidents to electrical faults, gas explosions, bushfires, and human negligence. The service has urged the public to adhere to fire safety precautions, such as installing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits in their homes and workplaces.
The service has also appealed for more resources and equipment to enhance its capacity to respond to fire emergencies and save lives and properties. The GNFS has faced challenges such as inadequate fire hydrants, water supply, and personnel, which have hampered its operations.
The government has pledged to support the GNFS with more funding and logistics, as well as to enforce fire safety regulations and standards in the country. The government has also expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family of Ewurama Ameyaw Akumfi, and promised to assist them in their time of grief.
As the nation mourns the loss of a young and promising life, many hope that this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for more fire safety awareness and action in Ghana.
