The Vice-Chancellor of Gimcheon University in South Korea, Professor Ok-Hyun Yoon, has announced a significant commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to become a global leader in fire safety and emergency response. The university plans to provide specialized training, academic scholarships, and strategic institutional support to strengthen Ghana’s firefighting capabilities and infrastructure.
“We will officially sign an MOU with the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ministry of Interior to jointly cultivate outstanding fire professionals,” said Professor Yoon during an official visit by Divisional Officer Grade II (DOII) Abdulla Salia, the District Commander of the Legon Fire Station. “We will also provide systematic training and facility management education for existing firefighters,” he added.
The visit took place on the sidelines of the Public Servants Forum (PSF) in South Korea and aimed to explore collaborative strategies to address Ghana’s critical shortage of trained public safety and disaster response personnel—a challenge exacerbated by rapid urbanization and infrastructure limitations.
The delegation’s visit was initiated through an official invitation from Professor Moon Jae-Tae of Gimcheon University’s Department of Industrial Safety, who facilitated discussions and engagements throughout the visit. Professor Moon also expressed admiration for DOII Salia’s presentation at the forum, highlighting the urgency of fire safety reform in Ghana.
Speaking candidly during his visit, DOII Salia addressed the dire state of Ghana’s emergency services: “Ghana’s police and fire infrastructure is generally in a poor state, and there’s a severe shortage of relevant professionals and emergency response systems. We need urgent international collaboration to close the gap.”
He emphasized the value of Gimcheon University’s advanced academic resources, saying, “We seek to integrate Gimcheon University’s excellent educational infrastructure and years of operational know-how into Ghana’s firefighting system.”
During a tour of the university’s facilities, DOII Salia visited state-of-the-art fire science practical labs and police training grounds, where he observed firsthand the rigorous training offered to Korean students in public safety disciplines. This was followed by a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Yoon, who reaffirmed the university’s long-term commitment to Ghana.
In outlining the next steps, DOII Salia announced his intention to engage Ghana’s top leadership upon his return. “I will discuss concrete cooperation plans with the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service and the Minister of Interior. These plans will include the annual admission of around 30 Ghanaian national scholarship students to Gimcheon University’s Department of Police and Fire Science, the development and implementation of short-term training programs for Ghanaian police and fire officials, and collaboration on establishing modern emergency response systems.”
The visit also included a stop at the Gimcheon Fire Station, where DOII Salia was given a full demonstration of their advanced fire command and control systems. He witnessed a live fire drill showcasing Korea’s rapid response capabilities and was introduced to a wide range of firefighting vehicles, high-tech equipment, and operational protocols. Officials at the station expressed their interest in hosting internship and educational exchange programs for Ghanaian fire officers to promote practical knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The Ghana Director of the Public Servants Forum, Mr. Youngjun Moon, was also present during the engagements and praised the growing relationship between both institutions. Professor Moon Jae-Tae, who played a key role in organizing the visit, guided DOII Salia through the university’s academic and training facilities.
Concluding his visit, DOII Abdulla Salia remarked on the significance of this partnership and the potential it holds for Ghana’s future in public safety.
“This visit to Korea is expected to be the first step toward transforming Ghana’s fire safety system into a global standard,” he said. “Through the Public Servants Forum, the visit to Gimcheon University’s Fire Science Department, and the Gimcheon Fire Station, cooperation between the Ghana National Fire Service and the Korea National Fire Agency will deepen. Furthermore, I hope this collaboration will expand beyond fire safety to include disaster safety and industrial safety—enabling Ghana to become a global leader in these critical areas.”
The partnership between Gimcheon University and the Ghana National Fire Service is expected to mark a turning point in fire education and emergency response in Ghana, laying the foundation for long-term institutional growth and safety reform.
