Ghana National Fire Service saves over GHC550m worth of properties from destruction – Report

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has announced that it has saved over GHC550 million worth of properties from destruction by fire.

This is contained in a Press release dated May 1.

The press release indicated that this feat was achieved from January to December, 2024.

“This achievement highlights the GNFS’s effective fire safety measures and rapid response capabilities. This comparative report covering 2023 and 2024 highlights fire trends, causes, regional performance, and the impact of recent safety interventions,” the press release issued by Head of Public Relations, DO II Desmond E. Ackah reads in part.

Please read full release below:

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OVER GHC 550 MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTIES SALVAGED FROM FIRE RUINS
Accra, Ghana – May 01, 2025.
Period of Comparative Report: January to December, 2023 & 2024.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is pleased to announce that over Ghc 550 million worth of properties were saved from fire destruction from January to December, 2024. This achievement highlights the GNFS’s effective fire safety measures and rapid response capabilities.

This comparative report covering 2023 and 2024 highlights fire trends, causes, regional performance, and the impact of recent safety interventions.

MAJOR FIRE CAUSES
Major fire causes recorded during the period under review included:
1. Electrical faults from misuse of electricity and electrical appliances;
2. Gas leakages from improper use of LPG stoves and cylinders;
3. Indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushes;
4. Misuse of naked lights such as mosquito coils, candles, lighters, and matches;
5. Lightning effects, carelessness, negligence, accidental and deliberate acts.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Rise in Fire Incidents: The number of fire incidents recorded from January to December 2024 increased by 463 representing 7.8% as compared to the same period in 2023. This rise, from 5,973 incidents in 2023 to 6,436 in 2024, can largely be attributed to the harsh weather conditions experienced in the early part of 2024 and lapses in basic fire safety compliance.
2. Cost Analysis: a. The cost of salvaged properties increased significantly to GHC 550, 196, 972 in 2024, up by 159.8% from GHC 211,766,887.00 in 2023. This rise reflects GNFS’s improved fire management strategies and the growing efficiency in preventing extensive damage despite its numerous operational challenges. b. The cost of damage increased to GHC 270,352,100.70 in 2024 from GHC 177,939,898.20 in 2023, representing a 51.9% rise. This significant increase underscores the urgent need to strengthen fire prevention strategies and enhance emergency response capabilities. It further highlights the critical importance of retooling the Service with modern fire and rescue equipment, expanding the number of fire stations across the country, and ensuring each station is well equipped with functional fire engines and appropriate personal protective equipment to meet the international response time standard of 4–5 minutes.
3. Regional Fire Statistics: The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of fires with 1309 incidents. The Ashanti Region followed in the second row with 1145 fires. Eastern Region chalked third with 648 fires. The North East Region had the lowest number with 16 fires.
4. Types of Fires: Comparing the data for January to December 2023 and 2024; – a. Domestic Fires: Significantly decreased by 3%, from 41.5% in 2023 to 38.5% in 2024. b. Commercial Fires: Slightly increased by 0.3%, from 16% in 2023 to 16.3% in 2024. c. Bushfires: Increased by 1.4%, from 11.9% in 2023 to 13.3% in 2024. d. Electrical Installation Fires: Increased by 0.5%, from 12.4% in 2023 to 12.9% in 2024. e. Vehicular Fires: There was no change in the proportion of vehicular fire cases, with both 2023 and 2024 recording 9.7% of total incidents. f. Other Fires: Increased by 0.8%, from 4.1% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024. g. Institutional Fires: Increased by 0.1%, from 4% in 2023 to 4.1% in 2024. h. Industrial Fires: There was no change in the proportion of industrial fire cases, with both 2023 and 2024 recording 0.4% of total incidents.
5. Out-On-Arrival (OOA) fire cases: AOO cases rose slightly by 1.88% from 2,028 in 2023 to 2,066 in 2024, representing 32.1% of all fires managed. This increase reflects the positive impact of our public fire safety education, with empowered citizens helping to save properties worth over GHC 55 million before GNFS arrival. The Service aims to boost this trend to 60% through intensified public awareness campaigns, stressing the need for greater logistical support to further enhance early fire intervention efforts.
6. Fire-Related Deaths: This decreased from 27 in 2023 to 25 in 2024, representing a 7.41% reduction. The decrease in fire-related deaths highlights improvements in fire safety measures and emergency response. The lower fatality rate suggests that public safety education and effective fire prevention strategies have contributed to reducing the loss of life during fire incidents.
7. Fire-Related Injuries: This decreased from 108 in 2023 to 54 in 2024, representing a 50.0% reduction. This significant decrease in injuries underscores the effectiveness of enhanced fire safety protocols and timely interventions. Fewer injuries reflect better preventive measures and quicker emergency response by both the public and the GNFS.
8. Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) Cases: This decreased from 594 in 2023 to 579 in 2024, representing a 2.53% reduction. Although the reduction in RTC cases is modest, it indicates progress in road safety and accident prevention efforts of the Service. Fewer RTC cases mean reduced strain on emergency services and improved road safety awareness among the public.
9. RTC – Related Deaths: This decreased from 2,839 in 2023 to 2,394 in 2024, representing an 15.7% reduction. The reduction in RTC deaths reflects improved road safety measures and effective emergency response. Fewer fatalities highlight the GNFS’s success in addressing severe accidents and providing critical assistance.
10. RTC-Related Injuries: Road Traffic Crash (RTC)-related injuries increased slightly from 274 in 2023 to 280 in 2024, marking a 2.19% rise. While this reflects a marginal increase, it underscores the ongoing need to strengthen road safety education and enhance emergency response. The GNFS remains committed to improving pre-hospital care and rescue operations to mitigate the impact of traffic accidents and reduce injury rates over time.
11. Other Rescues (such as bees attack, structural collapse, leg entrapment in metal or concrete slabs on gutters, rescue from heights, etc) declined from 188 in 2023 to 162 in 2024, representing a 13.83% reduction. The decline in other rescue incidents suggests a decrease in complex emergencies, possibly due to improved safety measures and public awareness. This reduction helps the GNFS allocate resources more efficiently and focus on high-priority situations.
12. Other Rescue-Related Injuries: This decreased from 139 in 2023 to 96 in 2024, representing an 30.94% reduction. The decrease in injuries from rescue operations reflects more effective rescue techniques and safety precautions. It indicates that the GNFS is successfully mitigating risks associated with diverse rescue scenarios.
13. Other Rescue-Related Deaths: This declined from 42 in 2023 to 34 in 2024, representing a 19.1% reduction. The reduction in deaths during rescue operations highlights improvements in safety measures and rescue protocols. Fewer fatalities in these scenarios indicate the GNFS’s growing expertise in handling complex rescue situations and enhancing public safety. Overall, the positive trends in decreased fatalities and injuries across fire incidents, RTC cases, and other rescues reflect the GNFS’s effective implementation of safety measures and emergency response strategies. These improvements not only enhance public safety but also streamline GNFS operations, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and better management of emergency situations.

ESSENCE OF THE CHANGES
1. The significant rise in salvage costs alongside the increase in damage costs reflects the GNFS’s improved fire management strategies and the growing efficiency in preventing extensive damage.
2. The trend in OOA cases underscores the positive impact of fire safety education and community preparedness, which have been crucial in reducing overall damage and preserving property.

COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY
1. The GNFS is committed to intensifying public fire safety campaigns through traditional and social media, focusing on residential areas, worship centers, lorry stations, market centers, and institutions.
2. Fire safety audits and inspections will be intensified in public and private commercial premises to identify fire hazards and proffer mitigation measures to minimize the risks associated with these fire hazards.
3. More community Fire Volunteers will be trained and motivated to prevent and control bushfires through the adaptation of climate resilience strategies such as creating fire belts around farmlands and plantations, encouraging early or control burning and promotion of alternative livelihood empowerment programs such as snail and grass cutter raising, mushroom farming, keeping of bees, etc in order to ease the pressure on the forests and natural vegetation.
4. Management to collaborate with the National Road Safety Authority and other relevant Institutions via intensified road safety education to enhance respect for sirens of emergency vehicles, and minimize and /or prevent road crashes with its attendant deaths and injuries.
5. Management urges the public to adhere to the basic fire safety protocols being churned out by the Service to prevent incidents and protect lives, property, and the environment.
6. The GNFS remains dedicated to advancing fire safety education and improving response strategies to protect lives, properties and the environment effectively.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For clarification and more information on this release, please contact:
Desmond E. Ackah
Divisional Officer Two (DO II)
Head of Public Relations – Ghana National Fire Service

Phone: 233 242 319 650
Email: [email protected]

Note to Editors: Please this news release is submitted for favour for publication. Thank you.

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