The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has rolled out a comprehensive welfare and disaster prevention strategy that includes an insurance package for personnel, a nationwide 24-hour market surveillance system, and enhanced flood-risk mapping of fuel stations.
As part of new welfare initiatives, the Service has launched a Health and Safety Fund with a seed capital of GH¢200,000.
The Fund is designed to support fire personnel who suffer critical injuries or death in the line of duty. The insurance package, which accompanies this initiative, is a major step toward improving staff welfare and boosting morale among frontline responders.
The announcement was made during a ministerial briefing by the Ministry of the Interior on Monday, July 14, 2025. The measures form part of the government’s broader 24-Hour Economy agenda aimed at improving safety standards, especially in high-risk operational environments.
To bolster disaster preparedness, the GNFS has instituted a 24-hour surveillance system across major markets nationwide.
It has also completed a nationwide mapping of fuel stations located in flood-prone areas, in a bid to prevent fire and flooding incidents—particularly in densely populated commercial zones.
“These interventions are designed to mitigate the risks of fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in areas with high human and economic activity,” the Minister for the Interior stated during the briefing.
According to official data, the GNFS responded to 3,841 fire incidents across the country within the reporting period, successfully salvaging properties worth millions of cedis.
In addition to its firefighting duties, the Service attended to 851 road traffic collisions, rescuing several trapped victims and reinforcing its role in emergency response operations.
Fire prevention efforts also received a boost, with the GNFS conducting 14,234 fire safety inspections and issuing 12,418 fire certificates—2,944 of which were renewals. To strengthen community-based fire control, particularly in rural areas, 5,214 fire volunteers were trained nationwide to assist in bushfire management and local emergency support.
In recognition of efforts to promote fire safety compliance, the Service also inaugurated the National Safety Awards Day, which will be observed annually on July 11.
This year’s edition saw 60 individuals and organisations honoured for outstanding adherence to fire safety protocols and contributions to public safety.
