The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has expressed its condolences to the family of the two-year-old girl who died in a fire incident at Cantonments in Accra.
The domestic fire, which occurred on Sunday, September 20, at a residence near Susanna Lodge, claimed the life of the child after she was reportedly unable to escape the blaze.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) later confirmed that the girl’s elder brother had also died at the Bank Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the fire.
The tragedy has left the family mourning, with other members who were in the building at the time of the incident receiving medical care.
In a statement, the MoGCSP said it shared in the grief of the bereaved family and all others affected by the incident.
The Ministry also used the tragedy to urge parents, guardians and caregivers to take practical steps to protect children from potential hazards in the home.
It advised households to keep matches, lighters and other sources of fire out of children’s reach, ensure electrical appliances and installations are safe, and avoid leaving young children unattended.
The Ministry further encouraged families to have emergency evacuation plans and, where appropriate, teach children how to respond during emergencies.
The MoGCSP said it had taken note of the ongoing investigation by the GNFS into the circumstances surrounding the fire and called for the process to be concluded to establish the cause.
According to the Ministry, determining what caused the fire would help provide clarity on the tragedy and guide measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It stressed that protecting children from harm was a shared responsibility involving families, caregivers, communities and relevant institutions.
The Ministry expressed its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and wished them strength and comfort as they come to terms with the loss.
