Contrary to earlier reports that the hotel’s rooms and other adjoining facilities were affected by the fire, the Hotel’s management says its rooms, restaurant, kitchen and other facilities on the Eastern wing were intact and operational.

It said some offices and the area around its poolside which were affected by the fire are currently being reconstructed and will be completed by June 8.

The General Manager of the hotel, Raphael Ayittey after a tour of the hotel told journalists that the hotel has worked to ensure that customer interests and satisfaction were still met as expected.

“I want to assure our teeming patrons that we are still in business. We have not shut down. All the staff are intact, nobody has been fired or laid off; 120 staff.  The main structure that got damaged which is the Western section of the hotel next to the pool is being worked on. The floor works are being done. The contractor will hand over by the 8^th of June,” he said.

He further assured the Hotel’s clients who have engaged them to host conferences, dinners and other social events that their events will be held as planned.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’re still in business – Coconut Grove Hotel appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a Facebook post, he suggested the need for reforms with respect to the attitude of these state institutions in the face of similar disasters.

[contextly_sidebar id=”OJ3s8r2jzF5W83BC3aRDpvp6rhJpfIAk”]“I have a heavy heart because though accidents do happen, this fire should not have caused so much damage and destruction.  We have a lot to do to reform our state institutions and attitude to working with urgency when we are confronted with problems.”

It took the combined efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Fire Department of the Ghana Air Force more than three hours to contain the fire which started around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Although the cause of the fire is yet to be known, the company said initial information it gathered indicates a spark of fire from an air-conditioning unit led to the unfortunate incident.

Dr. Nduom’s Facebook post also lauded his staff for the role they played in overcoming the fire saying, “we have an amazing team of management and staff.  The teamwork they have demonstrated to ensure that the Regency Hotel fire challenge is overcome quickly has been wonderful to observe.  They are living the Spiritual Guidance we teach all our employees.”

“I am grateful to government officials, friends, politicians from all political parties, religious leaders, businessmen and women and others for their encouragement and concerns,” the post added.

GN Bank open for business

GN Bank, Gold Coast Securities,  Amansan TV and Business Television Africa were ravaged by fire on Saturday evening but Mr. Nduom indicated that some level normalcy has returned to these businesses.

“First Digital TV is back on air and ATV and BTA are broadcasting.  The affected GN Bank and Gold Coast Fund Management branches will be open today [Monday] for business next door.  Our customers’ funds and data are safe.  Our disaster recovery procedures have worked well.  We are awake to the need to continuously take preventive measures to protect life and property.”

The guest rooms and conference facilities of the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel itself were not affected by the fire.

Find below his full Facebook Post

Tons of Gratitude, with a Heavy Heart.

As far as my faith will take me, I give thanks to God.  This has been one of the most difficult months for me as an entrepreneur ever and for my family.

Still we stand ready to keep moving on, positively.  We owe our ability to do this to many, many well-wishers from near and far who encourage us and support our enterprises.  I am thankful for our loyal customers and business partners who have gone beyond their personal interests to stand by us no matter what.

We have an amazing team of management and staff.  The teamwork they have demonstrated to ensure that the Regency Hotel fire challenge is overcome quickly has been wonderful to observe.  They are living the Spiritual Guidance we teach all our employees:

2 Timothy 1:7

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am grateful to government officials, friends, politicians from all political parties, religious leaders, businessmen and women and others for their encouragement and concerns.

I have a heavy heart because though accidents do happen, this fire should not have caused so much damage and destruction.  We have a lot to do to reform our state institutions and attitude to working with urgency when we are confronted with problems.

First Digital TV is back on air and ATV and BTA are broadcasting.  The affected GN Bank and Gold Coast Fund Management branches will be open today for business next door.  Our customers’ funds and data are safe.  Our disaster recovery procedures have worked well.  We are awake to the need to continuously take preventive measures to protect life and property.

Our Groupe Nduom spirit is well and alive.

I am grateful for the prayers, good wishes and encouragement.

God bless all of us.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Coconut Grove fire: Extensive damage could have been avoided – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News after inspecting the extent of damage from the fire incident, Mr. Brew Hammond said they believe that the extent of destruction from the fire could have been minimal if the Fire Service was adequately resourced to deal with the fire on the onset.

[contextly_sidebar id=”GuFnJNwnA037FiOxap892zwXPxlNQB0T”]“It was a shock to all of us, the CEO of Groupe Nduom is aware of it, he has been informed. The fire department has come to do its best together with the Airforce fire department, we are now out to assess the damage…. He was shocked. In my interaction with him a few hours ago was a sense of shock and believes that it was something that could be avoided if the fire department was properly resourced with water and fire hydrants and all of what it takes to put out a small fire that ought not to spread to the degree it did,” he said.

A part of the hotel that houses Business Television Africa (BTA), Amansan TV (ATV), GN Bank and Gold Coast Securities was ravaged by fire around 4.30pm.

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, who owns the affected properties and is also the founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).

Only two weeks ago the roof of the presidential  candidate’s Elmina Stadium was ripped off by a rainstorm.

It took the combined efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Fire Department of the Ghana Air Force more than 3 hours to contain the fire.

Meanwhile, managers of the hotel have revealed that the inferno was sparked by fire from an air-conditioning facility at Amansan Television (ATV) which shares a compound with the hotel.

A statement from the hotel clarified that its restaurant, conference facilities and guest rooms were not affected by the fire.

“It is important to note that the Regency Hotel and its restaurant, guest rooms and conference facilities are intact and were not touched by the fire,” it said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Nduom ‘shocked’ by Coconut Grove fire appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the incident is a “major loss” to the country’s hospitality industry.

John Mahama, who also contested the 2016 presidential race on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) posted on Facebook on Sunday, April 23, 2017 that; “Yesterday’s fire at Coconut Grove Regency Hotel is a major loss to our hospitality industry. My thoughts are with Dr and Mrs Nduom and workers of Group Nduom.”

A part of the hotel that houses Business Television Africa (BTA), Amansan TV (ATV), GN Bank and Gold Coast Securities was ravaged by fire on Saturday evening.

It took fire officers more than 3 hours to contain the fire which started at about 4.30pm.

The affected properties are all owned by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom.

Meanwhile, owners of the hotel have revealed that the inferno was sparked by fire from an air-conditioning facility at Amansan Television (ATV) which shares a compound with the hotel.

A statement from the hotel clarified that its restaurant, conference facilities and guest rooms were not affected by the fire.

“It is important to note that the Regency Hotel and its restaurant, guest rooms and conference facilities are intact and were not touched by the fire,” it said.

Nduom stadium roof ripped off

Dr. Nduom last week suffered a similar fate when his stadium which serves as home grounds for his football club, Elmina Sharks, had its roof ripped off following a heavy storm in the capital city of the Central Region, Cape Coast.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Coconut Grove fire: Mahama commiserates with Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.