NEWS

Prank Calls Cripple Ghana Fire Service Emergency Response

Ghana National Fire Service Warns Prank Calls Are Hindering Emergency Response Efforts

The frequent abuse of its emergency lines through hoax calls has prompted the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to issue a strong warning, emphasizing that such behavior continues to impair their capacity to efficiently respond to actual crises. ADO 1 Derrick Elorm Adzokpa from the GNFS Public Relations Department expressed grave worry about the continued misuse of the Service’s emergency communication systems during an interview on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, May 9. He bemoaned, “The prank calls are killing us,” emphasizing the serious toll that these false alerts take on the Service’s staff and resources.

Although prank calls continue to be a challenge, Adzokpa disclosed a significant improvement in 2025. He noted a 31.52% decrease in prank calls during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2024. He attributed this positive shift to intensified public education campaigns and increasing public awareness about the negative consequences of misusing emergency lines.

Adzokpa emphasized that while the reduction in prank calls is commendable, even a single hoax call can have fatal consequences. He explained that prank calls often clog emergency lines, potentially preventing people facing real life-threatening situations from getting through to the GNFS. “Sometimes when there is an emergency and you call 112 or 192 and it’s not going through, it means someone else is on the line, and that could be a prank call,” he explained. “You can even deny someone who has a real issue the help they urgently need.”

The GNFS has established alternate emergency numbers, 0302772446 and 0299340383, to address the issue and guarantee that the public can still contact the Service in the event that primary lines are unavailable. The public was advised by Adzokpa to utilize these hotlines sensibly and only when required. The GNFS keeps reminding the public that a moment of mischief could result in the loss of a life and urging them to use emergency services responsibly. The Service urges all Ghanaians to contribute to ensuring public safety and is steadfast in its commitment to accelerating emergency response times.