The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have initiated steps to revive 1,035 water hydrants across the country that are currently either buried or out of service.

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This renewed effort follows a strategic meeting between both institutions held on April 16 at the GWCL’s regional office in Tema. The engagement brought together key officials, including the GNFS Tema Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Patrick Sallah, Regional Operations Officer, and GWCL’s Regional Chief Manager, Dr. Samuel Ason.

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The discussions focused on recommissioning defunct hydrants, replacing faulty couplings that are incompatible with Fire Service standards, and ensuring hydrants are accessible and pressurized enough to support emergency responses.

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"Notably, the GNFS has been working to address hydrant issues, with only 797 out of 1,832 water hydrants functioning nationwide," the GNFS reported in a Facebook post.

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This figure means that 1,035 hydrants are non-functional, posing a major challenge to firefighting operations across various regions, particularly in densely populated or fire-prone zones.

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As part of efforts to address the issue, the GNFS and GWCL will form a joint team tasked with resolving hydrant-related problems. The collaboration also reinforces a longstanding partnership between the two agencies.

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The issue is especially critical in locations like Tema New-Town, where the absence of water hydrants places residents and businesses at greater risk during fire outbreaks.

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Meanwhile, the GNFS has raised fresh concerns over the adequacy of its firefighting equipment, stressing that conventional water tenders are no longer sufficient in tackling today’s complex fire scenarios.

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According to the service, the emergence of high-rise buildings, sprawling market complexes, and modern infrastructure calls for more advanced firefighting tools.

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The GNFS is advocating for the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, including drones, multipurpose fire tenders, extendable ladders, and hydraulic platforms to enhance its effectiveness.

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The call comes in the wake of the recent Adum Market fire in Kumasi, which displaced more than 5,000 traders and shop owners and resulted in the loss of significant property and livelihoods.

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The GNFS believes that equipping its personnel with modern tools is vital to curbing large-scale disasters and improving emergency response in fire-prone environments.

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