GNFS cautions public against fire outbreaks
The Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Julius A. Kuunuor, says fire outbreaks continue to pose a significant threat to communities, businesses, and domestic settings in the country, which require stricter fire safety adherence by the citizenry.
“In 2024 alone, we recorded 6,436 fire incidents, a 7.75 per cent increase from the 5,973 cases recorded in 2023, these fires were largely due to harsh harmattan conditions and non-compliance with fire safety protocols,” he recounted.
Speaking at the launch of the National Fire Safety Week Campaign, in Accra yesterday, CFO Kuunuor indicated that Greater Accra recorded the highest number of fires with 1,309 cases while Ashanti Region recorded 1,145 and Eastern Region followed with 648 cases.
He said the National Fire Safety Week Campaign, was a forum to sensitise, educate the people, and reaffirm Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) resolve to preventing fire incidents.
Touching on the campaign’s theme: ‘Fire Safety: Key to National Development and a Foundation for Our Safety and Security,’ CFO Kuunuor said it highlighted the need to strike a balance between fire safety and national security, while protecting lives and property.
He asserted that despite the increasing number of cases, North East Region, however, recorded the lowest number of fire cases of 15.
“The estimated cost of salvaged properties rose from GH¢211,766,887.00 in 2023 to GH¢550,196,972.00, an increase by GH¢338,430,085.00 representing 159.8 per cent, in2024, a testament to the bravery and commitment of our firefighters,” CFO Kuunuor emphasised. He, however, noted that “the cost of damages also increased from GH¢177,939,898.20 in 2023 to GH¢270,352,100.00, an increase by GH¢92,412,201.80 representing 51.9 per cent in 2024.”
Despite these challenges, Mr Kuunuor said that GNFS remained resolute in its commitment to public safety, adding that in 2024, the service intensified its fire prevention strategies through public education and 17,099 public institutions and places were covered in Fire Safety Education and Training.
Similarly, he stressed that 16,646 Fire Safety Audits and inspections conducted nationwide, 5,005 fire permits issued to ensure compliance with safety regulations and 21,627 fire certificates granted to establishments and premises to uphold fire safety standards.
“The public must recognise that over-securing buildings with hardcore burglar proofs, metal barricades, locked fire exits, and inaccessible escape routes can turn minor incidents into fatal disasters,” he cautioned.
The Minister for the Interior, Mr Mohammed Muntaaka Mubarak, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Director of Research Statistic and Information Management at the Ministry, Mr Solomon Tetteh Mensah , said government remained committed to strengthening the capacity of GNFS to effectively prevent and manage fire incidents.
He stated that government in collaboration with GNFS would provide modern firefighting equipment and protective gear to enhance fire prevention and response efforts.
The minister further called for strict enforcement of fire safety laws and regulations, and to ensure that homes, businesses, and institutions adhere to fire prevention guidelines, whilst GNFS leverage on technology and innovation to improve fire detection, reporting, and response time.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
