The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has raised concerns over mounting operational difficulties in the Tema Region, warning that ageing firefighting equipment, inadequate water infrastructure, and poor road networks are affecting its ability to respond effectively to emergencies.
According to the service, many of the region’s fire tenders have exceeded their recommended operational lifespan, increasing the risk of mechanical breakdowns during critical firefighting operations.
Speaking at an intersectoral review meeting organised by the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, the Tema Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Divisional Officer Grade II Ebenezer Yenzu, disclosed that the region has not received a major replacement of fire tenders in approximately 15 years.
He explained that international standards recommend replacing or completely re-engining emergency response vehicles after five years of service to maintain reliability and efficiency.
DO II Yenzu cited a recent fire outbreak in Prampram as evidence of the challenge, revealing that six fire tenders were dispatched to the scene but four suffered mechanical failures before the operation ended. The situation left only two tenders actively engaged in combating the blaze and forced firefighters to depend on privately owned water tankers to sustain operations.
Beyond equipment challenges, the GNFS also highlighted the absence of functional fire hydrants within the region’s industrial enclave, a situation that continues to complicate firefighting efforts. The service has renewed calls on Ghana Water Limited to improve water infrastructure and install operational hydrants at strategic locations to support emergency response.
Poor road conditions and persistent traffic congestion were also identified as major obstacles. According to the Fire Service, while global response standards recommend reaching emergency scenes within eight minutes, reinforcement crews travelling between areas such as Katamanso and Akuse can spend up to 30 minutes on the road due to traffic and deteriorating road networks.
The challenge becomes even more severe when nearby fire stations experience equipment breakdowns, requiring support to be mobilised from stations located farther away.
Despite these constraints, the GNFS says public education campaigns are yielding positive results. Data from the service shows that out of 318 fire incidents recorded in the region during the first quarter of the year, 126 were extinguished by residents before firefighters arrived.
DO II Yenzu attributed this achievement to sustained community sensitisation efforts that have equipped residents with basic fire prevention and response knowledge, helping to contain outbreaks before they escalate.
He encouraged the public to promptly report fire emergencies through the Tema Regional Control Room’s direct emergency line, 0303 202 554, noting that this could reduce delays sometimes associated with national call-routing systems and improve response times during emergencies.
