Ghana National Fire Service Calls for Advanced Equipment Amid Rising Fire Disasters

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has emphasized the urgent need for advanced firefighting equipment to tackle increasingly complex fire incidents across the country.

According to Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, the last time Ghana purchased a fire tender for the GNFS was in 2014. This has left the service struggling to combat modern fire emergencies, especially with the rise in high-rise buildings and large-scale market fires.

GNFS Urges Investment in Modern Equipment

A senior fire officer stressed that traditional water tenders alone are no longer sufficient, citing recent market fires as examples of the service’s logistical constraints.

“Now the fires we are experiencing are so sophisticated that normal water tenders are no longer enough to handle the situation,” the officer stated.

To improve efficiency, the GNFS is calling for cutting-edge firefighting tools, including:

Firefighting drones

Multipurpose fire tenders

Hydraulic platforms

Extendable ladders

“People are constructing more high-rise structures, and aside from recommending property protection, we need hydraulic platforms and extendable ladders, especially within major cities,” the officer added.

Criticism Over Adum Market Fire Response

The GNFS’s response to the Adum Market fire in Kumasi has come under scrutiny, with Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene accusing firefighters of inefficiency and failing to disclose water shortages in fire tenders.

In a viral video, Dr. Amoakohene confronted fire officers, questioning:

“If there is no water in the tender, what is it doing here? If you have any challenges, why don’t you tell me immediately?”

GNFS Defends Its Operations

Responding to the minister’s criticisms, GNFS Public Relations Officer Alex King Nartey dismissed the public outburst, stating that the minister was already aware of the service’s logistical constraints.

“Action is not about shouting or creating a public spectacle. The minister knew about our challenges. Shouting does not fight fires,” Nartey said in an interview with GHOne TV.

Despite the criticism, the GNFS confirmed that the Adum Market fire had been fully extinguished after two days of relentless efforts. Over 5,000 traders and shop owners were affected, losing valuable property and livelihoods.

The GNFS commended its personnel for their dedication but reiterated the urgent need for modern firefighting tools to prevent future disasters.