The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a significant milestone in its response to fire cases over the past six months.

During an interview on Tuesday, July 8, the Head of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Desmond Ackah, revealed that due to their improved and swift response to fire cases, they have been able to save over GHC203 million worth of property in the last two quarters of 2025.

“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," Mr Ackah said.

According to him, the GNFS' response time has also improved, with a maximum of 15 minutes and a minimum of 5 minutes.

Despite their efforts, properties valued at GHS 188,423,598 were lost to fire incidents.

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.

They have 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.