In a significant step toward enhancing road safety, Hon. Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah, Deputy Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, presented a brand-new, fully equipped extrication pickup vehicle to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Fijai at 3:00 PM WAT on Thursday, September 25, 2025. This latest initiative fulfills a key campaign promise and bolsters emergency response capabilities in the region, aligning with President John Dramani Mahama’s ambitious “Big Push Programme” to transform Ghana’s road infrastructure and drive economic growth.

 

The handover ceremony, attended by local leaders, fire service personnel, and community members, marked a milestone in improving emergency services in Fijai. The state-of-the-art extrication pickup, equipped with advanced rescue tools, is designed to patrol roads, respond swiftly to accidents, and save lives. Hon. Dr. Ayensu Danquah emphasized the vehicle’s critical role, stating, “This addition will strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies and reduce the tragic loss of life on our roads.”

The event featured a demonstration of the vehicle’s capabilities, including its extrication equipment, which will enable firefighters to free trapped victims from wreckage. The GNFS Fijai station commander expressed gratitude, noting that the vehicle would significantly enhance their operational efficiency.

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The presentation comes amid a concerning rise in road accidents in the region. Since May 2025, Fijai and its surrounding areas have recorded 68 accidents, resulting in 20 fatalities and numerous injuries. The new vehicle is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing these numbers by improving response times and providing advanced rescue support. This aligns with broader national efforts to address Ghana’s road safety crisis, where over 2,000 road deaths were recorded nationwide in 2024, according to the National Road Safety Authority.

 

Alignment with the Big Push Programme

The donation reflects President Mahama’s vision under the “Big Push Programme,” launched earlier in September 2025, which aims to overhaul Ghana’s road infrastructure. The initiative, highlighted by recent sod-cutting ceremonies for projects like the Dodowa–Afienya–Dawhenya road, seeks to enhance connectivity, reduce accident hotspots, and stimulate economic growth. Hon. Dr. Ayensu Danquah’s contribution complements these efforts, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safer roads and emergency preparedness.

As a board-certified surgeon and advocate for public health, Dr. Ayensu Danquah has been instrumental in pushing for healthcare and safety improvements. Her involvement in this handover underscores her dedication to fulfilling campaign pledges and supporting President Mahama’s transformative agenda.

 

Local residents welcomed the new vehicle, with many expressing hope that it would deter reckless driving and improve emergency outcomes. A community elder remarked, “This is a blessing for Fijai. We’ve lost too many lives to accidents, and this vehicle gives us hope.” Fire service officials also praised the gesture, noting that the enhanced equipment would save critical minutes during rescue operations.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, plans to expand such initiatives to other vulnerable areas, with funding partly drawn from the Ghana Medical Trust (‘Mahama Cares’) and the Big Push Programme budget.

 

Why This Matters

The handover of the extrication pickup addresses a pressing public safety issue in Fijai, where poor road conditions and delayed responses have contributed to high accident rates. It also signals the Mahama administration’s progress on campaign promises, boosting confidence in its infrastructure and health security agenda ahead of future elections.

As the nation watches the programme’s impact unfold, this initiative stands as a testament to collaborative governance and community welfare.

 

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