A massive fire that erupted on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at approximately 5:18 a.m., has completely gutted five container shops situated directly opposite the North Campus of the University of Education, Winneba.
While fortunately no casualties were recorded, the blaze caused significant financial damage, particularly to one of the affected shops, which housed a printing press with equipment valued at several thousands of Ghana Cedis.
According to ADO I Dery Vitus, Public Relations Officer of the Effutu Directorate of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire department received a distress call from one of its officials reporting the inferno at the university gate. “Immediately, a crew was dispatched to the scene at 6:08 a.m. On arrival, they observed that container shops used for selling provisions, fruits, phones and accessories, as well as a boutique and a printing press, were all engulfed in a fully developed fire,” he stated.
Firefighters worked tirelessly for an hour and a half to bring the conflagration under control, successfully preventing it from spreading to adjacent shops.
ADO I Dery used the incident as an opportunity to urge residents of Winneba and surrounding communities to diligently observe basic fire safety precautions to avert future man-made fire disasters. He highlighted common culprits behind such blazes, including failure to fully extinguish fires after cooking, neglecting to replace worn-out electrical wiring, leaving lit candles unattended, and unsafely storing petroleum products in bedrooms and shops.
He also stressed the importance of promptly reporting fire incidents to the GNFS, reminding the public that their personnel are highly trained to handle such emergencies. ADO I Dery extended his sympathy to the victims of the disaster and reiterated his caution against delaying fire reports until situations become uncontrollable, emphasizing that early intervention is crucial for effective response.
Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador
Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa.
He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism.
Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services.
He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space.
With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.
