The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says 5,585 fire incidents occurred nationwide from January to November 2025.
The incidents included both residential and non-residential fires, such as those occurring in markets.
This was disclosed by the Chief Fire Officer of the GNFS, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, during an interview on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
“From January to November, we recorded 5,585 fire outbreaks across the country. These covered residential, non-residential, and market fires,” she said.
She noted that the figure reflects a slight reduction compared to the same period in 2024, when 5,596 fire outbreaks were recorded.
Commenting on the causes of fire outbreaks, Madam Ntow Sarpong identified negligence as a major contributing factor.
“Many of these fires are preventable. Unfortunately, people often do not take safety advice seriously until an incident occurs. This level of negligence remains a major concern,” she explained.
She further pointed to unsafe practices in markets, stressing that the widespread use of gas cylinders without proper regulation increases the risk of fires.
“You go to the markets and see cylinders being used everywhere, and in some cases, market managers are not doing enough to enforce safety measures,” she added.
Madam Ntow Sarpong appealed to the public to be more safety-conscious and vigilant about potential fire hazards.
She also warned that beginning this year, the GNFS will strictly enforce regulations by taking action against property owners who fail to seek inspection and certification from the Service.
