The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a notable decrease in prank calls in the first half of 2025. According to the GNFS’s comparative fire trend report, prank calls dropped by 34.77% from 364,020 cases in 2024 to 237,470 cases in 2025. This significant reduction is attributed to sustained public education campaigns and increased awareness of the legal consequences of misusing emergency lines.
Impact of Reduced Prank Calls
The decline in prank calls has improved the efficiency of the GNFS’s emergency services, allowing them to respond more effectively to genuine emergencies. Acting Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, commended the public for their growing awareness and positive behavioral change, urging continued vigilance and cooperation to further reduce prank calls.
Fire Incidents and Causes
Despite the decrease in prank calls, the GNFS reported a slight increase in fire incidents, with 3,595 cases recorded in the first half of 2025, representing a 0.53% rise from 3,576 incidents in the same period of 2024. The main causes of fires included:
– Electrical Faults: Illegal connections, poor wiring, and overloading of circuits
– Unattended Cooking: Gas, electric, or coal-based stoves
– Careless Use of Naked Flames: Candles, mosquito coils, lighters, and matches
– Gas Leakages: Poor handling of LPG cylinders
– Bush and Vegetation Burning: Dry season-related fires
– Vehicle Fires: Poor maintenance and road accidents
– Unsafe Welding Practices: Hot work and deliberate acts of arson
Regional Breakdown
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 cases. The Northeast Region reported the lowest number of incidents with just 10 cases ¹.