Chief Fire Officer Ntow Sarpong responds to criticisms over her appointment

The Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, (GNFS) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, has addressed public criticisms that she is not physically fit for the role and therefore unsuitable to lead the service.

According to her, physical build does not determine effectiveness in firefighting leadership but rather, efficiency, focus, and hard work are the true measures of competence.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, and monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, January 12, 2026, Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, who is the first female Chief Fire Officer of GNFS,

said comments about her physical appearance and body size do not discourage her but instead make her stronger and more determined.

“The comments made me stronger, because those who know me, know me. It’s not about weight or structure. One of my Chief Fire Officers, the late Akyianu, was fatter than I was, and he was one of the best Chief Fire Officers. It is efficiency, focus, and hard work that matter. If you stay focused, you just forget about whatever people are saying. You focus, and you know that you are doing the right thing,” she remarked.

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Mawusi Ntow Sarpong also pointed out her extensive operational experience within the service, explaining that she has risen through the ranks over several years.

She explained that her various roles within the service have equipped her with practical knowledge of firefighting operations and leadership.

“In 1992, I used to drive a fire engine. I’ve passed through the mill. I’ve worked in many districts, Madina, Adenta, Nungua, Dansoman and I was awarded by the then Chief Officer, Chief Gaisie, as the Best Regional Commander in 2015,” she added.

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Looking ahead to 2026, the Chief Fire Officer pledged to intensify public education on fire prevention, emphasising that negligence remains a major cause of fire outbreaks.

The Public Services Commission (PSC) in November 2025, officially confirmed Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, as the substantive Chief Fire Officer of the GNFS.

Watch a snippet of her video below:

Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong has responded to critiques of her appointment, stating, the criticisms made her stronger.

Addressing her fitness for the role, she emphasized, "Firefighting is not about weight or structure; it's about efficiency, focus, and hard… pic.twitter.com/QV3fyI7C7J

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 11, 2026

Meanwhile, watch as NDC MPs and party leadership pay tribute to late Naser Toure Mahama