The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has accused the Ghana National Fire Service of refusing to release critical information relating to major fire incidents in Ghana despite formal requests made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
According to the organisation, requests submitted by investigative journalism outlet The Fourth Estate seeking details on the 2017 Atomic Junction gas explosion and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) fire incident were denied by the Fire Service on grounds that the information involved “third-party issues”.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, MFWA Programme Manager Krobea Asante said the refusal raises concerns about transparency and public accountability, especially in matters involving public safety and national interest.
“The National Fire Service, for instance, we requested information about a very important incident in our Ghanaian history. If you remember the Atomic gas explosion,” he stated.
According to him, the requests sought access to investigation findings and lessons learned from the incidents to help improve public understanding and accountability.
“What happened at Circle? The GRA office that got burnt, we also requested information on that, but the information was not released,” he added.
Mr. Asante explained that the GNFS justified its refusal by arguing that the reports contained information involving third parties and therefore could not be disclosed publicly.
He further disclosed that the matter was eventually referred to the RTI Commission, which reportedly imposed a GH¢50,000 fine on the Fire Service over its refusal to release the requested information.
The Atomic Junction gas explosion remains one of Ghana’s deadliest fire disasters in recent years.
The October 2017 incident killed several people and left more than 100 injured after a fire outbreak triggered a massive explosion at a gas station near Atomic Junction in Accra.
At the time, the Fire Service completed investigations into the explosion but indicated that the report would not immediately be made public, saying the findings had been forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior for further action.
The latest claims by the MFWA come amid increasing scrutiny of public institutions over compliance with the RTI law, with the RTI Commission recently intensifying legal actions against agencies accused of withholding information requested under the Act.
