Improving Fire Safety in Ghana: Govt Launches Digital Platform
The Minister for the Interior, Honourable Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, has reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve fire safety regulation and enhance public protection. This was stated at the launch of the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), a digital platform designed to transform fire safety regulation and improve service delivery across the country.
The Minister described AFCAS as a modern transition from manual and fragmented fire safety compliance processes to a digital, standardized, and technology-driven regulatory regime. He said the system would well position the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to streamline inspections, reduce turnaround time, and improve service delivery across homes, businesses, factories, offices, and public institutions.
“A predictable, transparent, and efficient regulatory environment is essential for attracting and retaining both local and foreign investment, and AFCAS supports this objective,” he stated. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader policy direction of leveraging technology and innovation to make doing business easier and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The AFCAS platform is expected to serve as a preventive public safety tool, enabling the GNFS to monitor compliance in real-time, identify high-risk facilities early, and take proactive measures to prevent fire outbreaks before they occur. According to the Minister, this will save lives, protect livelihoods, safeguard national assets, and reduce avoidable losses resulting from fire disasters.
The platform will also strengthen inspection planning and generate reliable data to support evidence-based decision-making and long-term fire safety planning nationwide. Mr. Mohammed called on corporate bodies, developers, business institutions, and the general public to fully embrace and support the implementation of AFCAS.
“AFCAS is not just a tool for regulation; it is a tool for public safety,” he emphasized. He warned that any officer who engaged in acts that undermined or compromised the integrity of the system’s implementation would be sanctioned and, where applicable, prosecuted.
The Chief Fire Officer, Madam Daniella Mawuse Ntow Sarpong, described the introduction of AFCAS as a defining moment in the operational evolution of the Service. She noted that prior to the implementation of the digital platform, fire safety compliance processes in Ghana were largely manual, fragmented, and time-consuming, making inspections difficult to track and delaying certification processes for individuals and businesses.
“With AFCAS, interactions with the public will be simplified, inspections better coordinated, compliance tracked in real-time, and risks identified earlier than ever before,” she said. The system will also introduce a reliable and structured revenue stream for the Service, reducing its over-reliance on government subventions and enabling it to reinvest in its core mandate.
Additional resources will support local and international training programs for personnel, enhance public fire safety education campaigns, and strengthen operational capacity through improved logistics and modern firefighting equipment.
The launch of AFCAS has been welcomed by stakeholders, who see it as a significant step towards improving fire safety in Ghana. The system is expected to go live soon, and the GNFS is urging all relevant stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the platform.
As Ghana continues to urbanize and develop, the importance of effective fire safety measures cannot be overstated. AFCAS is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and its successful implementation will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all Ghanaians.
