YEA, GNFS pass out 894 trainees in Fire Assistants Programme, 60% salary increase announced
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in partnership with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has passed out 894 trainees under the second batch of its Fire Assistants Training Programme.
Drawn from across the country, the group comprised 360 males and 534 females who completed a three-week intensive course at the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) in James Town, Accra. The training, which began on August 9, 2025, was designed to equip young Ghanaians with critical firefighting and emergency response skills.
The passing-out ceremony, held on Friday, August 29, 2025, formed part of a nationwide programme that has recruited 5,000 young people to support fire safety efforts while creating employment opportunities in line with government’s youth empowerment agenda.
During the course, trainees received instruction in fire safety laws, chemistry of combustion, electrical safety, causes and prevention of fires, building fire protection systems, bushfire prevention and management, first aid, firefighting equipment handling, and qualitative fire risk assessment. They also underwent daily physical drills, public speaking sessions and practical exercises aimed at boosting operational readiness and community engagement.
The YEA Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale, praised the success of the programme and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable youth employment. He said the initiative aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of removing young people from the streets and placing them in gainful employment.
“We are pleased to report to the President of the Republic that 5,000 young people have been taken off the streets and placed in gainful employment as National Fire Service Assistants,” he stated.
Mr Basintale also dismissed negative public perceptions of the programme, stressing that creating opportunities for both the young and middle-aged was a national responsibility. He assured the recruits that many would eventually be absorbed into the GNFS as permanent staff under the existing agreement.
He further disclosed that President Mahama had directed a 60 per cent increase in the allowances of Fire Assistants, effective at the end of this month. He explained that frequent market fires, including a recent incident in Kumasi, had informed the decision to establish the unit to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response across the country.
Commending stakeholders including Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, he pledged YEA’s continued support for the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
The Minister of Youth and Development, George Opare-Addo, urged the new assistants to earn public trust through professionalism and vigilance. He emphasised that their service would protect lives, property and the environment while directly supporting Ghana’s economic ambitions.
“Let this opportunity motivate you to dedicate yourselves completely to serving your communities and our nation,” he told them, adding that exemplary conduct and adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding with GNFS could pave the way for permanent employment.
