On Wednesday, the Ayensuano Member of Parliament, and a member of the Defence and Interior Committee, joined colleagues for a critical engagement with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to assess the operational challenges confronting the Service.
During the meeting, the Director of Finance at GNFS, D.C.F.O. Mark Brako Appiah, painted a sobering picture of the situation. Many of the Service’s fire tenders are over two decades old and are no longer supported with spare parts, putting the country at risk of a potential breakdown in fire response capacity by the end of the year if immediate interventions are not made.
He also highlighted worrying safety habits in our communities—such as people sleeping near gas cylinders and buildings without escape routes—which continue to contribute to fire-related deaths.
Beyond the aging fleet, the Service is also struggling with a lack of command vehicles, inadequate fire stations in many districts, and limited access to functional hydrants.
These gaps are slowing down emergency response times and, sadly, deterring investors from setting up in underserved areas. The health and well-being of fire personnel were also raised, with many exposed to smoke and hazardous conditions without adequate support.
Chief Fire Officer, Madam Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sarpong, acknowledged the decline in public trust and assured the Committee that steps are being taken to improve training, discipline, and professionalism within the ranks.
She also addressed public complaints about fire tenders showing up without water—explaining that the issue often stems from non-functional hydrants in certain communities, not negligence on the part of firefighters.
As a Committee, we assured the GNFS of our commitment to present these urgent concerns to Parliament, to secure the necessary support and reforms.
This visit reinforces my belief that our first responders deserve better—better equipment, better support, and better working conditions. I will continue to advocate for policies and resources that will strengthen our emergency services and protect the lives and property of all Ghanaians.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
