Accra: Mr Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, Minister of Interior, has urged security personnel and the public to prioritise safety as a daily necessity and collective responsibility. He emphasized that safety and security must be a conscious decision and cultivated habit, embraced across homes, schools, roads, hospitals, and workplaces.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Muntaka made the remarks at the 2025 National Safety Awards organized by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to honour personnel and civilians for outstanding contributions to fire safety. He noted that Ghana's development depends on a robust safety framework and stressed the importance of matching investments in health, education, roads, and infrastructure with a strong safety framework.
The Minister commended the GNFS for its evolving role beyond emergency response, including education, policy enforcement, and advisory services. He praised the service for exceeding its internally generated fund (IGF) targets, raising GHS4.18 million in 2023 against a target of GHS2.81 million, and GHS4.55 million in 2024 against a target of GHS3.47 million. Donor funds also saw an increase from GHS1.78 million in 2023 to GHS1.98 million in 2024.
Mr. Muntaka called on all stakeholders to support GNFS in making safety a national ethos, encouraging citizens to make safety a conscious lifestyle rather than the duty of a few professionals. During the event, the Minister was honoured with a citation and plaque for his support of fire safety initiatives, along with several other honourees including Chief Fire Officer (CFO) (Rtd) Julius Aalebkure Kuunor, Acting CFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sarpong, CFO (Rtd) Paa Kwasi Adu Twum, DCFO (Rtd) Tonny K Lawoe, and GNA Chief Reporter Samira Larbi. Corporate institutions were also recognized for their contributions.
Madam Ntow-Sarpong highlighted the multifaceted roles of GNFS personnel as safety officers, educators, rescuers, and investigators, while stressing the need for support in capacity building and logistics. She shared that in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and Ulster University, they are working on a fire safety syllabus for basic schools to instill the importance of fire safety in children, turning them into ambassadors of safety in their homes and communities.
