GNFS CALLS FOR URGENT INVESTMENT IN MODERN FIRE TENDERS
Ghana National Fire Service says its fire tender fleet has not been renewed for more than 16 years, renewing concerns over equipment shortages, emergency response and the protection of lives and property.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has renewed its call for urgent government investment in modern firefighting equipment, warning that the age of its fire tenders is creating serious challenges for officers responding to emergencies across the country.
The Service has raised concerns about operating with an ageing fleet despite the growing demands placed on firefighters, who are called upon to respond to residential fires, industrial accidents, road crashes, flooding and other emergencies.
“Our equipment is old. The last time we got any tender was over 16 years [ago],” the Service said in remarks highlighting the need for urgent logistical support.
The concern underscores a critical public safety issue: firefighters must have reliable vehicles, modern equipment and sufficient operational resources to reach emergency scenes and carry out their duties effectively.
When a fire breaks out, every minute matters. Delays caused by unavailable vehicles, mechanical failures or inadequate equipment can make an already dangerous situation more difficult to control.
The latest appeal has therefore renewed questions about the state of Ghana’s emergency response infrastructure, the government's plans to replace obsolete equipment and the resources required to ensure that firefighters can protect communities effectively.
Previous reports have also highlighted the scale of the challenge. In June 2026, the GNFS said it had not received a new fire tender in approximately 15 years, while a July 2025 report warned that many vehicles in the fleet were more than 22 years old. These reports point to a longstanding equipment problem, although the precise age of individual vehicles may differ.
Ageing Fire Tenders Raise Concerns Over Emergency Response
Fire tenders are among the most important assets available to the GNFS. They transport firefighters, carry water and firefighting equipment, and help officers respond to incidents that require immediate action.
However, like other heavy-duty vehicles, fire tenders require regular maintenance and eventual replacement. Continuous use, difficult road conditions and repeated emergency deployments can increase wear and tear, making the availability of spare parts and qualified technicians essential.
An ageing fleet can create additional pressure on maintenance teams, particularly when replacement components are difficult to obtain or vehicles require extensive repairs.
In June 2026, GNFS Public Relations Officer Assistant Divisional Officer I Alex King Nartey said outdated equipment was affecting the Service's ability to respond effectively to emergencies. He explained that vehicles could break down under pressure, affecting firefighting and flood rescue operations.
The challenge is especially concerning when several emergencies occur simultaneously. If a vehicle is unavailable because it is undergoing repairs, the burden may fall on other stations, potentially increasing the distance firefighters must travel to reach an incident.
The GNFS needs equipment that can be relied upon when an emergency call comes in, rather than vehicles whose availability is uncertain.
Replacing obsolete fire tenders would not eliminate every challenge confronting the Service, but a dependable fleet would provide an important foundation for faster and more effective emergency operations.
Previous Figures Reveal the Scale of the Equipment Problem
Concerns about the GNFS fleet have been raised repeatedly over the past several years.
In March 2025, Graphic Online reported that the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, had informed Parliament that Ghana had 247 fire appliances, of which 48 were out of service at the time.
That figure represented a significant operational concern because vehicles undergoing repairs cannot be deployed until they are returned to service.
The minister said the government was discussing funding with the Ministry of Finance to procure replacement fire engines. Repairing faulty vehicles was identified as an interim measure to increase the number of appliances available for emergency response.
The government also indicated that it was exploring support from private-sector organisations and philanthropists while procurement plans were being pursued.
These measures highlighted the need to address both immediate operational shortages and the longer-term replacement of ageing equipment.
Repairing existing vehicles can help restore capacity, but maintenance alone cannot provide a permanent solution where vehicles have become obsolete or spare parts are no longer readily available.
A sustainable approach would require regular fleet assessments, planned replacement schedules, maintenance funding and sufficient technical support to keep vehicles operational throughout their service lives.
Without such a strategy, the Service risks repeatedly confronting the same equipment shortages as older vehicles deteriorate.
Government Has Announced Plans to Replace Old Fire Engines
The concerns raised by the GNFS come against the background of government commitments to improve the equipment available to Ghana's security services.
In June 2025, the Presidency announced a GH¢1 billion commitment towards retooling the country's security services, including the acquisition of new fire tenders to replace ageing and broken-down vehicles.
The announcement recognised the frustration citizens experience when emergency services struggle to respond effectively and presented modern equipment as part of the government's public safety agenda.
However, announcing an investment commitment is different from completing procurement, delivering vehicles and ensuring that they are operational at fire stations.
The central question is whether the plans will translate into sufficient, reliable equipment for the GNFS and whether replacement vehicles will be distributed according to the needs of communities across the country.
The Service requires more than a few new vehicles. It needs a fleet-management strategy that identifies which appliances must be replaced first, which can be repaired economically and which locations face the greatest emergency-response challenges.
Clear information about procurement timelines, delivery schedules and deployment would help the public understand the progress being made.
The government will also need to provide funding for fuel, maintenance, spare parts and training so that new vehicles remain operational after they are delivered.
For firefighters and the communities they serve, the most important outcome will be practical improvements in emergency readiness.
Firefighters Face Dangerous Conditions Every Day
Firefighting is a demanding profession that requires officers to enter dangerous environments to rescue people and protect property.
During fire outbreaks, officers may encounter intense heat, thick smoke, unstable buildings, hazardous materials and the possibility of explosions. Flood rescue operations can also expose them to fast-moving water, submerged obstacles and other unpredictable hazards.
These risks make reliable equipment essential for both emergency response and the safety of personnel.
In June 2026, Mr Nartey expressed concern about public reactions to firefighters during rescue operations, including occasions when people reportedly recorded or mocked officers as they attempted to save lives.
His remarks highlighted the difficult conditions under which firefighters work and the importance of public understanding and cooperation during emergencies.
Fire officers need appropriate protective clothing, breathing apparatus, communication systems, rescue tools and dependable vehicles to perform their duties safely.
When equipment is inadequate, officers may face greater physical risks while attempting to control an incident.
Modernising the GNFS should therefore be understood not only as a way to improve service delivery but also as an investment in the welfare and safety of the personnel who respond to emergencies.
Ghanaians can support these efforts by following safety instructions, giving emergency crews room to operate and avoiding behaviour that obstructs rescue operations.
Equipment Is Only One Part of the Challenge
Although replacing old fire tenders is urgent, the GNFS faces wider logistical and operational difficulties that require attention.
In a November 2025 report, the Ghana News Agency quoted Acting Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong as saying that many fire tenders had become obsolete and that about 80 districts lacked fully functional fire stations.
The report also highlighted the need for additional resources, specialised training, research, digital innovation and stronger partnerships with public and private institutions.
The absence of functional fire stations in some areas can increase the distance between emergency crews and the communities that need them.
A new fire tender may improve the capacity of a station, but it cannot fully address response delays if the station is too far away, roads are difficult to navigate or access to water is limited.
Water availability is particularly important. In July 2025, Graphic Online reported concerns about the lack of functioning fire hydrants in some communities. Where reliable hydrants are unavailable, crews may have to travel farther to refill their vehicles, potentially affecting operations.
The GNFS therefore needs a coordinated investment programme covering vehicles, fire stations, water infrastructure, protective equipment, communications and personnel training.
These components work together. A modern vehicle is most effective when it is stationed appropriately, maintained regularly, supplied with water and operated by trained personnel.
Why Modern Firefighting Equipment Matters to Communities
The consequences of inadequate firefighting capacity can extend well beyond the immediate damage caused by a blaze.
Residential fires can destroy homes and personal belongings, leaving families displaced. Market fires can wipe out traders' stock and destroy livelihoods accumulated over many years. Industrial fires can disrupt production, threaten workers and damage equipment needed to sustain businesses.
Schools, hospitals, warehouses and public facilities also require effective emergency protection.
When fires cannot be contained quickly, damage may spread to neighbouring properties, increasing the financial and social cost of an incident.
Reliable firefighting equipment can help officers reach scenes, deliver water, contain flames and carry out rescue operations more effectively. However, outcomes also depend on the scale of a fire, the building's design, access to the site, available water supplies and the speed at which the incident is reported.
Modernising the GNFS should therefore form part of a broader national approach to fire prevention and emergency preparedness.
Businesses should maintain appropriate fire-safety equipment, households should take precautions when using electricity and cooking appliances, and public institutions should comply with applicable fire-safety requirements.
Investment in prevention can reduce the number and severity of incidents, while investment in emergency response helps ensure that trained officers have the tools needed when prevention fails.
Private Sector and Public Support Could Help
The government has primary responsibility for ensuring that national emergency services are adequately resourced, but other stakeholders can contribute to strengthening fire safety.
The GNFS has previously called for coordinated support from businesses, development partners, civil society and the public.
In November 2025, the Ghana News Agency reported that the Acting Chief Fire Officer encouraged private-sector organisations to support fire stations, provide equipment, sponsor specialised training and fund community fire-safety initiatives through corporate social responsibility programmes.
Such partnerships may provide additional resources, but they should complement rather than replace predictable public funding.
Emergency services need stable budgets because vehicle maintenance, equipment replacement and station operations cannot depend entirely on occasional donations.
Government planning should establish clear priorities and funding arrangements, while partnerships can help address specific needs such as training, specialised equipment and local fire-prevention programmes.
Public accountability is equally important. Procurement should be transparent, equipment should be suitable for the conditions in which it will be used, and vehicles should be distributed according to operational requirements.
The objective must be a stronger national emergency service capable of serving communities fairly, including areas that currently have limited access to functional fire stations.
A Call for Action, Not Just Promises
The GNFS's renewed appeal puts the spotlight on a longstanding challenge that requires sustained attention.
Government announcements about replacing old fire tenders provide a basis for action, but the Service needs practical improvements that can be measured through the number of operational vehicles, the availability of equipment, maintenance performance and emergency-response readiness.
The government should provide clear updates on procurement and delivery plans, while the GNFS should continue identifying its most urgent operational needs and strengthening maintenance and fire-prevention efforts.
Communities also have a role to play by reporting emergencies promptly, complying with fire-safety regulations and cooperating with officers at incident scenes.
The condition of the fire service affects every part of the country. No community should have to rely on the hope that an available vehicle can reach a fire in time.
Conclusion
The Ghana National Fire Service's warning about its ageing fleet is a reminder that emergency preparedness requires continuous investment rather than occasional interventions.
With firefighters responding to fires, road accidents, floods and other emergencies, reliable vehicles and modern equipment are essential to protecting lives, property and livelihoods.
Previous reports documenting grounded appliances, obsolete vehicles and gaps in fire-station coverage demonstrate that the challenge extends beyond the age of individual tenders.
Government commitments to procure replacement engines must therefore be followed by timely delivery, fair deployment, adequate maintenance and investment in the wider infrastructure needed for effective firefighting.
For Ghana, modernising the GNFS is not simply a transport or equipment issue. It is a public safety priority.
The firefighters who run towards danger need dependable tools to do their jobs. Providing those tools is an investment in the safety and security of every community they serve.