Ghana to Deploy 24-Hour Fire Brigades Nationwide Amid Rising Fire Incidents

KEY POINTS

• 24-hour fire brigades will deploy nationwide to tackle Ghana’s rising fire outbreaks, prioritizing high-risk commercial zones.
• Fire incidents have spiked by 25% in 2025, with urban areas accounting for 60% of cases due to electrical hazards.
• The plan includes international partnerships for equipment and training, but critics warn of past unfulfilled promises.

Ghana’s Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has announced plans to establish round-the-clock fire brigades across all regions to combat the country’s escalating fire outbreaks.

Modern Ghana reports that the initiative follows a surge in fire-related disasters, including market infernos and residential blazes, which have caused millions in damages and displaced hundreds this year.

“The government is committed to enhancing rapid response capabilities to save lives and property,” Dery stated during a press briefing in Accra. The 24-hour fire service units will be strategically positioned in high-risk areas, with priority given to commercial hubs like Kumasi’s Kejetia Market and Accra’s Makola Market—both sites of devastating fires in recent years.

Fire safety crisis demands urgent action

Ghana records over 5,000 fire incidents annually, with 60% occurring in urban areas due to electrical faults, illegal wiring, and poor safety compliance.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reports a 25% increase in cases compared to 2024, overwhelming understaffed and poorly equipped brigades.

“Many stations lack basic tools like fire hydrants and functional trucks,” revealed GNFS spokesperson Ellis Robinson Okoe. “This expansion will include modern equipment and training to address systemic gaps.”

The government will partner with South Korea’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency to upgrade infrastructure and implement community fire education programs. Critics, however, demand faster action, citing delays in implementing a similar 2023 fire safety roadmap.

Ghana’s fire service currently operates with only 6,000 personnel for 30 million citizens, far below the UN-recommended ratio. The 2024 Kumasi Central Market fire alone caused $50 million in losses, displacing 2,000 traders. Experts note 70% of fire trucks nationwide are over 15 years old, while rapid urbanization has outpaced safety infrastructure.

South Korea’s partnership includes donating 30 modern fire trucks and drone surveillance systems. A 2023 Auditor-General’s report revealed 40% of fire hydrants in Accra were non-functional, with illegal building conversions worsening risks in market areas