The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that fire outbreaks across the country in the first half of 2025 led to the destruction of properties valued at over GH¢188 million.

According to the Head of Public Relations at the GNFS, Desmond Ackah, the Service responded to emergency calls with improved speed, managing to salvage properties estimated at more than GH¢203 million between January and June this year.

“From January to June this year, we were able to salvage approximately GHS 203,389,679 worth of property, thanks to our improved response system. For all the emergency calls we received, our response time ranged between 5 and 15 minutes. Despite our efforts, property valued at GHS188,423,598 was lost to fire incidents,” Mr Ackah said in an interview on Tuesday, July 8.

He highlighted that the enhanced response time—ranging from a minimum of five minutes to a maximum of fifteen—played a critical role in reducing the extent of losses during fire emergencies.

This, he believes, indicates the effectiveness of their efforts, calling for commendation and celebration by the public, particularly media houses and other stakeholders.

“This demonstrates the effectiveness of our efforts and deserves both celebration and commendation. We call on media outlets and all stakeholders to recognise and appreciate the strides we’ve made. Without our swift intervention, property losses could have exceeded GHS 300 million.”

Also, GNFS reported a slight increase in fire cases nationwide in the first half of 2025. A comparison of data from January to June last year and that of this year's first six months indicates that Ghana recorded 3,595 fire cases. That is about 19 more than the 3,576 cases recorded during the same time in 2024, a sharp increase in cases representing a 0.53% rise.

The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 628 cases, followed by the Ashanti Region with 581 cases and the Central Region with 408. The North East Region reported the lowest number of incidents, just 10.

GNFS blamed the increase in fire cases on the public's defiance of fire safety protocols, the harsh harmattan conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2025, and general non-compliance with fire safety protocols by sections of the public.

Meanwhile, GNFS has reported a significant improvement in the fight against prank calls. The Service recorded a dramatic 34.77% reduction in prank calls—having recorded about 364,020 prank calls in the first half of 2024, as against 237,470 in 2025.

The Service has attributed the reduction in prank calls to consistent public education campaigns and increased awareness of the legal consequences of misusing emergency lines.

“These efforts are paying off. Reducing prank calls means our emergency lines are more accessible to people in real need,’ a GNFS spokesperson noted.