Accra: The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says the Upper West Region recorded 93 fire and emergency incidents in the first half of 2025 compared to 115 incidents within the same period of 2024, representing about a 19 percent decline. ADO I Mr. Iddrisu Imran, the Wa Municipal Fire Officer, shared this information in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in relation to a recent fire outbreak that destroyed a printing press in Wa.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Imran emphasized the collective responsibility of the public in fire prevention and fighting. He stated, "The Ghana National Fire Service is ever ready to respond, but the public must also play their part in preventing it from occurring in the first place." Mr. Imran identified negligence and improper electrical wiring as significant contributors to the frequent fire cases in the Municipality and the region.
Mr. Imran urged the public to adhere to fire preventive measures such as following fire safety protocols, keeping Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders away from children, clearing bushes, and conducting regular household safety checks. He also encouraged the public to keep emergency contact numbers of the GNFS to report fire incidents promptly for swift response.
On the preparedness of the GNFS, Mr. Imran explained that fire crews conduct routine checks on engines, logistics, and water levels before and after shifts. In situations where accessing fire centers is difficult, break-in tools are employed to gain access and combat fires. Despite the GNFS's readiness, Mr. Imran noted challenges such as prank calls, inaccurate location descriptions during emergencies, poor road networks, and inaccessible routes due to settlement layouts.
Furthermore, Mr. Imran cautioned the public against interfering with firefighters' efforts. He highlighted, "Sometimes people try to take over hoses from our personnel in an attempt to help, which is dangerous and can slow down our work." He appealed for cooperation between the public and fire officers to help reduce the rising trend of fire outbreaks in the Municipality and the region as a whole.
