Government Promises Quick Housing Solutions for Officers Displaced by Barracks Fire

The government has directed immediate action to provide temporary accommodation for police officers and their families displaced by the recent fire outbreak at the Accra Central Police Barracks near Tudu.

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak announced that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been instructed to urgently secure housing for all affected personnel as authorities work to restore normalcy following the incident.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, June 4, the Minister said temporary solutions such as hotel accommodation are being considered while longer-term rental housing arrangements are put in place.

“We are looking at immediate measures like hotels, but we know they cannot stay there for long. So once they are in, we will quickly secure rental accommodation for them,” he stated.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak disclosed that before the fire incident, discussions were already underway with a private sector partner interested in helping address the housing shortage within the Ghana Police Service.

“We were actually talking to a private partner who was willing to come in and augment the housing deficit for the police. We left around 4:30 p.m. while going through documentation, and later in the night, during the rains, we heard about the fire,” he explained.

The Minister praised the efforts of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, National Security, and other emergency responders for their prompt response, which prevented any loss of life.

“I want to thank the IGP and his team, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Chief Fire Officer and his team, National Security and all the security apparatus for all they did,” he said.

While acknowledging the extensive property damage suffered by officers, Mr Mohammed-Mubarak expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in fatalities.

“We’ve lost properties. Our men and women have lost belongings, but at least we are grateful that no life was lost. Life is the only thing we cannot replace,” he noted.

He added that relief items are already being distributed to affected officers, many of whom lost most of their personal belongings in the blaze.

The Interior Minister also revealed that the Vice President has been briefed on the situation and is expected to visit the site upon returning to Accra.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to the welfare of the affected officers, he stressed the need for urgent rehousing.

“The IGP has been instructed to do whatever is humanly possible to make sure that by the close of today or tomorrow, everybody is housed,” he said.

Government has also announced plans to replace the damaged barracks with a modern and fire-resistant facility as part of ongoing efforts to improve accommodation and infrastructure within the Ghana Police Service.

By: Radio1/ Paulina Armah