By Juliet Mettle-Edmonds
From January to June 2024, the Greater Accra Region reported the highest number of fire incidents, with 708 cases, followed by the Ashanti Region with 661 cases. During the same period, over GHC 60 million worth of property were salvaged from fire destruction.
The Ghana National Fire Service has identified several major causes of fires in the country. These include electrical faults due to the misuse of electricity and appliances, gas leakages from improper use of LPG stoves and cylinders, indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushes, and the misuse of naked lights such as mosquito coils, candles, lighters, and matches. Additionally, lightning and deliberate acts are also significant contributors to fire incidents.
From January to June 2024, the Service recorded a 3% increase in fire incidents, primarily attributed to harsh weather conditions and widespread noncompliance with basic fire safety protocols.
The Greater Accra Region reported the highest number of fires, with 708 cases, followed by the Ashanti Region with 661 cases. The North East Region reported the fewest fire incidents in 2024, with 17 cases, compared to the lower number of cases recorded in the aforementioned regions in 2023.
Domestic fires accounted for 35.8% of incidents from January to June 2024, a slight decrease from 36.2% in 2023. Bushfires followed at 17%, down from 17.8% in 2023.
Industrial fires made up 0.3% of incidents, a reduction from 0.4% in 2023. There was a 3% increase in out-on-arrival fire cases, reflecting the positive impact of GNFS’s public fire safety campaigns and improved public ability to handle fires before the arrival of the firefighters.
Other rescue operations, such as those involving wells, bee invasions, and metal or concrete slabs, decreased in that same period in 2024, alongside a decline in related deaths and injuries. Road traffic collision incidents increased by 1%, but associated deaths and injuries decreased, indicating improved response and safety awareness.
Management of the Service promised to collaborate with the National Road Safety Authority and other relevant institutions to intensify road safety education. This initiative aims to enhance respect for the sirens of emergency vehicles and to minimise or prevent road crashes, along with their associated deaths and injuries.
More community fire volunteers will be trained and motivated to prevent and control bushfires through the adoption of climate resilience strategies. Management urges the public to continue to adhere to the basic fire safety protocols to protect lives, property, and the environment.
