GNFS, GES, and Ulster University Launch Initiative to Integrate Fire Safety into Basic School Curriculum

In a pioneering step toward making safety a lifestyle among Ghanaian children, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ulster University in the United Kingdom, has commenced preparations for a two-week intensive workshop aimed at developing a comprehensive fire safety education curriculum for basic schools across the country.
The workshop is scheduled to take place from 11th to 20th June, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from education, emergency services, academia, and international partners under a unified mission: to inculcate the values of fire safety and emergency preparedness in Ghana’s youngest citizens through a structured and impactful school curriculum.
The programme was officially opened by the Acting Chief Fire Officer, (AG CFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, who emphasized the significance of early fire safety awareness in shaping a fire-conscious generation.
“This initiative is a bold and timely response to the growing need for early fire safety awareness. By introducing structured fire education into our schools, we are empowering the next generation to protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” she noted.
AG CFO Ntow Sapong acknowledged the presence of key partners from Ulster University, Dr. Nigel McConnell and Mr. Yahaya Abdulai, and lauded the collaborative effort that birthed the Co-Production Working Group, the body responsible for fine-tuning the curriculum for implementation nationwide.
She called on all participants, both local and international, to actively contribute their expertise to create a curriculum that is practical, inclusive, and impactful. She further underscored the importance of producing not only a robust educational document, but also building teacher support materials, actionable content frameworks, and effective feedback mechanisms that will make the programme resonate meaningfully with pupils and educators alike.
The initiative reflects the broader vision of the President of the Republic and the Honourable Minister for the Interior, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to empowering the Ghana National Fire Service to play a leading role in equipping the good people of this country, especially young children with contemporary knowledge in fire safety, aimed at making safety a lifestyle.
“Their drive for a safer Ghana continues to inspire initiatives like this,” AG CFO Sapong added. “As they work tirelessly to ensure fire safety becomes a shared responsibility embraced by all citizens.”
Officials from the Ghana Education Service, who are the main drivers and implementers of this initiative, are actively participating in the workshop and have expressed their readiness to support the integration of the final curriculum into the national syllabi. They reaffirmed the GES’s belief in equipping learners not just academically, but also with practical life-saving skills as far as fire safety is concerned.
Dr. Nigel McConnell of Ulster University commended Ghana for taking such a forward-thinking approach, noting that fire safety education at the basic level is essential in developing responsible and safety-conscious communities.
The Co-Production Working Group, made up of experts from the GNFS, GES, and Ulster University, will continue engaging relevant stakeholders during the workshop to ensure the curriculum aligns with local realities while meeting international best practices.
The Acting CFO also called on the media to give the programme extensive coverage, stressing that “your platforms are critical to amplifying this message and helping the public understand that fire safety begins with awareness and education.”
The workshop is expected to culminate in a finalized curriculum that will be adopted into the GES syllabi—marking a major milestone in Ghana’s fire safety and educational reform agenda.