Ghana's water rescue systems need strengthening - Expert warns

A Dutch Chief Fire Officer, Johan Tuitert, has raised concerns over gaps in Ghana’s water rescue preparedness after inspecting selected beaches and swimming pools in Accra, while also pointing to broader safety weaknesses in major urban markets.

The assessment, conducted during a private working visit to Ghana, focused on emergency readiness at recreational water sites where drowning remains a recurring public safety concern, as well as fire safety conditions in congested commercial hubs.

In a statement dated April 16, 2026, CFO Tuitert noted that while some facilities demonstrated basic preparedness, overall systems required strengthening to ensure consistent and effective response.

“I assessed the availability of rescue equipment, lifeguards, and response systems, and identified gaps that could benefit from targeted training and support,” he said.

He stressed that water-related emergencies demand rapid response capability backed by proper training and reliable equipment, adding that preparedness must be standardised across all high-risk sites.

“Water safety is not only about presence, but about readiness and the reliability of the response chain,” he added.

Beyond water safety, he also drew attention to persistent fire risks in major markets, where structural and operational conditions continue to challenge emergency response efforts.

During visits to markets including Kantamanto and Makola, he observed congested access routes, high fire loads, and limited enforcement of safety regulations, conditions he said significantly complicate firefighting operations.

Ghana tackles 1,400 yearly drowning cases with new initiative

“Market fires present unique operational challenges, including congested access routes, high fire loads, limited water supply, and exposure to toxic smoke,” CFO Tuitert observed.

He added that such conditions reflect broader urban management and compliance gaps, noting that emergency response limitations often begin long before fire services are deployed.

CFO Tuitert’s engagements with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ministry for the Interior reportedly focused on strengthening coordination, improving training, and expanding access to modern rescue and firefighting equipment.

He commended personnel for their commitment despite resource constraints but emphasised that sustained investment is needed to improve both water rescue capacity and fire safety systems in densely populated urban areas.

The Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, expressed appreciation for the proposed partnership with the GNFS.

She noted that management will outline the Service’s training and equipment needs and reaffirmed the Service’s readiness to collaborate.

She emphasised that the partnership will strengthen water rescue operations, enhance personnel capacity, improve safety at incident scenes, and support the Service’s mandate of saving lives and property in the long term.

As a gesture of appreciation, CFO Mawusi Ntow Sapong presented two sets of GNFS sportswear to the couple.







MRA/BAI

FULL SPEECH: Tsatsu Tsikata delivers inspiring speech at Honorific Lecture and Award event