The Ashanti Region experienced a significant rise in fire outbreaks in 2024, with a total of 1,172 cases reported between January and December. This marked an increase from the 928 cases recorded in 2023. Tragically, seven lives were lost during the incidents.
According to Divisional Officer II (DOII) Peter Addai, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the region, the surge was largely attributed to harsh weather conditions and the public’s failure to adhere to fire safety protocols.
The estimated value of destroyed property stood at GH₵35.4 million, while items worth GH₵29.9 million were salvaged by the GNFS. Domestic fires accounted for the majority, with 454 cases in 2024 compared to 393 the previous year.
Commercial fires ranked as the second most reported, followed by bushfires, which were common in rural areas during the dry season. Bushfires were often linked to activities like hunting, palm wine tapping, charcoal burning, and slash-and-burn farming.
Key causes of the fires included unattended cooking, electrical faults, improper use of flammable materials, and malfunctioning electrical systems. The peak months for these incidents were during the harmattan season, from January to March, and in December.
DOII Addai emphasized that the GNFS aims to ramp up fire safety education and conduct regular safety inspections in 2025 to prevent further losses.
