Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ACCRA1113
2009-10-22 15:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
FIRE DESTROYS GHANA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAR #1113 2951547 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADCBFE73 WSC2895-695) O 221547Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8404 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0354 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0197 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0431 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0064
UNCLAS ACCRA 001113
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY PARA TWO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: FIRE DESTROYS GHANA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
UNCLAS ACCRA 001113
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY PARA TWO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: FIRE DESTROYS GHANA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. (U) At about 17:00 local time on October 23, a fire
gutted the ten story Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
building in central Accra. The structure and its contents,
including historical documents dating back to Ghana's
independence in 1957, were completely destroyed. The only
reported injury was one fireman hurt by falling debris. The
cause of the blaze is under investigation; however, one early
press report said the that fire was caused by an electrical
fault.
2. (U) Poloff was in the vicinity of the MFA shortly after
the blaze started and reported that fire officials were not
called until about 15 minutes after flames were visible from
the outside of the building. Press reports quote officials
saying that the fire service was slow in responding, and the
three trucks that eventually arrived were unable to control
the blaze. The Ghana Fire Service's hoses could not reach
above the second floor.
3. (U) MGT Counselor had a previously scheduled routine
meeting with the MFA Chief of Protocol on October 22. She was
informed that she should go to the meeting anyway, not for
the meeting but to show support. MGT Counselor met the Chief
of Protocol in the parking lot of the building and reported
that the building was burned out and gutted. Only the ground
floor and part of the first floor were untouched.
4. (U) COMMENT: The GOG is still assessing the impact of the
blaze and has not made any statement about short term MFA
operations. Given the totality of the fire, Ministry
officials have lost office facilities, documents, and
communications capabilities. Until the GOG establishes a
temporary arrangement for the Ministry to resume functioning,
Embassy's ability to conduct business (including delivering
demarches) with the MFA will be extremely limited. END COMMENT
TEITELBAUM
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY PARA TWO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: FIRE DESTROYS GHANA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. (U) At about 17:00 local time on October 23, a fire
gutted the ten story Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
building in central Accra. The structure and its contents,
including historical documents dating back to Ghana's
independence in 1957, were completely destroyed. The only
reported injury was one fireman hurt by falling debris. The
cause of the blaze is under investigation; however, one early
press report said the that fire was caused by an electrical
fault.
2. (U) Poloff was in the vicinity of the MFA shortly after
the blaze started and reported that fire officials were not
called until about 15 minutes after flames were visible from
the outside of the building. Press reports quote officials
saying that the fire service was slow in responding, and the
three trucks that eventually arrived were unable to control
the blaze. The Ghana Fire Service's hoses could not reach
above the second floor.
3. (U) MGT Counselor had a previously scheduled routine
meeting with the MFA Chief of Protocol on October 22. She was
informed that she should go to the meeting anyway, not for
the meeting but to show support. MGT Counselor met the Chief
of Protocol in the parking lot of the building and reported
that the building was burned out and gutted. Only the ground
floor and part of the first floor were untouched.
4. (U) COMMENT: The GOG is still assessing the impact of the
blaze and has not made any statement about short term MFA
operations. Given the totality of the fire, Ministry
officials have lost office facilities, documents, and
communications capabilities. Until the GOG establishes a
temporary arrangement for the Ministry to resume functioning,
Embassy's ability to conduct business (including delivering
demarches) with the MFA will be extremely limited. END COMMENT
TEITELBAUM