The Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi is increasingly vulnerable to major fire outbreaks due to the breakdown of critical firefighting equipment, a senior officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has warned.
Most fire appliances within the Kumasi Metropolitan area are currently out of service, forcing emergency responders to rely on stations outside the city, said ADO 1 Obed Edom Owiredu, a spokesperson for the Kumasi Metro Fire Station.
“If you take the metro fire station, Komfo Anokye is out of commission,” Owiredu told Kumasi-based Akoma FM. “So, if there is any fire outbreak in the metropolis, we fall on the regional headquarters or the KNUST fire station or Bremang.”
Public education
Kumasi, a densely populated commercial hub has in recent years experienced several deadly fire incidents, particularly in markets and residential areas.
Owiredu said the lack of functional appliances significantly delays response times, increasing the risk of widespread damage when fires occur.
Despite the logistical challenges, he noted that public education campaigns have contributed to a reduction in fire outbreaks at the start of the year.
“We have started the year well, and because of education the prevalence of fire has reduced,” he said, adding that sustained media support was critical to improving public awareness and prevention.
Collective effort
Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, has stressed the need for concerted efforts to deal with the frequent fire outbreaks in the region.
He said the recurrent fire outbreaks, especially in markets and industrial enclaves, which remained the heartbeat of the region’s economy, and primary source of livelihoods for thousands of traders and families, were more troubling.
Records from the Ghana National Fire Service indicate that, Ashanti region has since January 01 to January 28, 2026, recorded a total of 125 fire outbreaks.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
