The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has voiced concerns over a rising trend of prank calls to their emergency lines, which impede their ability to respond effectively to legitimate emergencies.
ADO1 Alex Nartey, a member of the GNFS communication team, revealed the alarming details during an interview on Rainbow Radio FM.
He explained that prank calls have become a significant challenge, with callers often making absurd and inappropriate requests that tie up critical resources.
“Prank calls are a serious issue for us,” Mr. Nartey lamented. “If someone is on the line with us for a prank, it prevents another person with a genuine emergency from reaching us. Some of the calls we receive are shocking and senseless.”
He cited examples of such calls, including people falsely reporting that their wives’ private parts are on fire or that their beards are ablaze.
Disturbingly, some callers take the harassment further, engaging in lewd behaviour when female officers answer the phone.
“Some men call and masturbate upon realizing a woman is on the line. It’s disheartening and makes no sense when you think about the lives at risk due to these distractions,” he added.
The GNFS stressed that prank calls not only waste valuable time but also jeopardize public safety by delaying the response to real emergencies. Mr. Nartey called on the public to recognize the seriousness of the issue and urged responsible use of emergency lines.
Authorities are considering measures to address the problem, including public education campaigns and enhanced monitoring of emergency calls, to ensure the service can focus on its core mandate—saving lives and property.
