GNFS records 1,213 daily prank calls in Q1 2026 despite 17.8% decline

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has renewed its appeal to the public to stop making prank calls to its emergency lines, warning that the practice continues to hamper emergency response efforts and could put lives at risk.

According to the Service, prank calls dropped by 17.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

However, it still recorded an average of 1,213 prank calls every day, down from 1,475 daily prank calls in the first quarter of 2025.

In a statement issued on June 16, 2026, the GNFS said the reduction of 262 daily prank calls was encouraging but stressed that the volume remained unacceptably high.

The Service explained that every prank call occupies emergency operators and communication lines that should be available for genuine emergencies, including fires, road traffic crashes, medical emergencies and rescue operations.

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“Think before you dial. A prank call can prevent someone in real danger from getting the help they need,” the GNFS cautioned.

It emphasised that emergency telephone lines are reserved strictly for real emergencies and urged the public to use them responsibly to help improve response times and save lives.

The GNFS also called on parents, guardians, schools and community leaders to educate children and the wider public on the dangers of prank calls and their impact on emergency response operations.

The Service reiterated that every call to an emergency line matters and appealed to Ghanaians to support efforts to protect lives and property by refraining from making false emergency reports.

MRA/AM

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