A decade of duty: First Commander recounts the unexpected birth of Ministries Fire Station

In 2015, ACFO II Rev. Naomi Ofori Adubea Sarpong, now the Bono East Regional Fire Commander, found herself in an unusual situation when she was tasked to select personnel for a new fire station. Unbeknownst to her, she was choosing her own team, including sports enthusiasts and habitual latecomers. Upon learning that she would be the District Fire Officer (DFO) of the new station, she confessed to selecting the less punctual and less reliable individuals.

Her superior, Madam Vero, confronted her, urging her to reconsider her choices. A week before the station's inauguration, Regional Fire Commander DCFO Ebenezer Simpson revealed that she had been chosen to lead the station. Sarpong, initially devastated, recalled the ancient proverb that stated, "Whoever cooks a pot of poison must be the first to taste the broth."

Despite her rocky start, Sarpong and her team, which later included ADO II William Sackey, transformed Ministries Fire Station into a model of excellence, becoming the highest-performing station in Accra. Sarpong's leadership philosophy centered on fostering unity and continuous improvement, pushing her team to teach the weak and learn from the best.

During her six-year tenure, the station prioritized fire prevention and safety, organizing regular training sessions for staff in various ministries, hotels, and schools. Her dedication earned Nana Dwamena, the Head of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the respect and appreciation of the team.