Prank calls are killing us – GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has raised concern over the continued threat of prank calls to its emergency lines, warning that such actions remain a major obstacle to effective emergency response.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, May 9, ADO 1 Derrick Elorm Adzokpa of the GNFS Public Relations Department expressed frustration at the persistent misuse of emergency lines, even as the Service records some improvement.

“The prank calls are killing us,” he said, emphasizing the toll such calls take on the Service’s ability to respond promptly to genuine emergencies.

However, Adzokpa revealed a notable decline in prank calls this year, stating that prank calls dropped by 31.52% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. He attributed the improvement to enhanced public education and growing awareness of the consequences of misusing emergency

“It means people are now understanding the effects and implications of these calls,” he said.

Despite the progress, Adzokpa cautioned that prank calls remain a serious concern, particularly because they can block access to those in real need of help.

“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. You can even deny someone who has a real issue the help they urgently need.”

To mitigate the impact, he urged the public to utilize alternative contact numbers when the main lines are congested.

“The moment you call this number, you will get someone to speak to, and then we will attend to you,” he assured, providing the alternative hotlines: 0302772446 and 0299340383.

The GNFS continues to call for the responsible use of emergency services and warns that even one prank call can cost lives.

Source: CitiNewsRoom