President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Mrs Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong as the substantive Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), marking a historic breakthrough in the leadership of the country’s emergency services sector.
Mrs Ntow Sapong becomes the first woman to head the Service and previously made history as its first female Regional Commander. Her elevation reflects decades of dedicated service, institutional reforms, and operational expansion within the GNFS.
As Volta Regional Commander, she dramatically improved fire coverage in the region, increasing operational reach from 50 per cent to 99 per cent within a year by facilitating the establishment of more than 10 new fire stations. The expansion significantly enhanced emergency response capacity and reduced vulnerability in underserved communities.
Before her appointment as CFO, she served as Director of Fire Safety, where she spearheaded national reforms aimed at strengthening fire prevention and compliance. Her tenure saw the formation of nationwide Fire Safety Taskforces and the introduction of an annual Fire Safety Week to promote public awareness. The Directorate also surpassed its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) targets and secured a 30 per cent retention to improve operational efficiency.
CFO Ntow Sapong has also prioritised personnel development, overseeing the recruitment of 3,000 officers and the promotion of 5,000 personnel to strengthen capacity and morale within the Service.
She is currently championing a partnership between Ulster University in the United Kingdom and the Ghana Education Service to introduce a Basic Fire Safety curriculum in schools, with the goal of making fire safety education compulsory nationwide.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Management and Administrative Consultants (CIMAC), Mrs Ntow Sapong’s appointment signals a new chapter of reform, inclusivity, and strategic growth for Ghana’s fire service.
