The Ghana National Fire Service, Northern Regional Command, has commemorated International Firefighters’ Day 2026 with a strong call for the protection and respect of firefighters.
The event, held at the Service’s Regional Headquarters at Nyohani, was under the theme: “An Attack on Firefighters and Equipment is an Attack on Public Safety: End Assaults and Protect the Firefighter.”
The ceremony featured a solemn remembrance in honour of fallen firefighters, marked by the sounding of sirens, a minute of silence, and the symbolic laying of coins to honour personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
In his opening remarks, the Northern Regional Fire Commander, Koranteng Y. Joseph, noted that the day is observed annually on May 4, celebrates the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of firefighters worldwide, while also remembering those who died protecting lives, property, and the environment.
Delivering the keynote address, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, described attacks on firefighters as a direct threat to public safety and national security. He commended officers in the region for their dedication but expressed concern over rising cases of verbal abuse and physical assaults against firefighters during emergency responses.
“Fire knows no boundaries and shows no favouritism,” he stressed, warning that such hostility undermines emergency response efforts and can lead to preventable loss of lives and property.
Reaffirming government’s commitment, he disclosed ongoing efforts to improve fire safety infrastructure, noting that rapid urbanization and increasing commercial activities have heightened fire risks across the region.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including security agencies, traditional authorities, and development partners.
Story : Alhassan S Suhiyini