Ghana National Fire Service Launches Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System

Accra, Feb. 20, 2026 — The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has officially launched the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), marking what authorities describe as a decisive shift from manual fire safety enforcement to a technology-driven, real-time compliance regime nationwide.

The landmark event, held under the theme “Transforming Fire Safety Compliance Through Innovation,” was graced by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who served as Special Guest of Honour.

From Paper-Based to Real-Time Monitoring

In her welcome address, Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong described AFCAS as a “defining moment” in the history of the Service, signaling a transition from fragmented, paper-based processes to a centralized digital platform.

“Before AFCAS, fire safety compliance in Ghana was largely manual, fragmented and time-consuming. Inspections were difficult to track, turnaround times were long, and both the public and the Service faced avoidable frustrations,” she stated.

According to her, the new system will simplify public interactions, coordinate inspections more efficiently, track compliance in real time, and identify fire risks earlier than ever before.

She assured stakeholders of the Service’s full commitment to the nationwide implementation of the system, pledging that GNFS would ensure AFCAS positions the institution as a modern, transparent and accountable public safety agency.

What AFCAS Will Do

Deputy Director of Safety at GNFS, Michael Korsah, provided a breakdown of the system’s core functionalities, which include certification, specialized training, revenue mobilization, real-time equipment tracking and enhanced inspection regimes.

Among the major innovations is the introduction of thermal imaging technology for electrical inspections. Under the new regime, properties seeking certification will undergo scientific assessment using thermal imaging devices to detect hidden electrical faults and fire hazards.

The system will also:

• Ensure mortgaged and non-collateralized properties are properly assessed and indemnified against fire risks before loans are granted.
• Enforce strict verification of fire-rated materials imported into the country, including metal doors and other construction components.
• Introduce mandatory training certification for institutions before fire safety certificates are issued or renewed.
• Digitally register and link fire extinguishers to specific vehicles using serial numbers and chassis details to prevent misuse.
• Establish strategically located servicing hubs nationwide to improve extinguisher maintenance compliance.
• Deploy 24-hour real-time surveillance consoles for institutions to enhance early detection and emergency response time.

D01 Michaeal Korsah noted that AFCAS would also build the capacity of fire officers to match international best practices, particularly in specialized sectors such as mining and industrial operations.

Government Backs Digital Public Safety Reform

Delivering the keynote address and formally launching the platform, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak described the initiative as a bold transition aligned with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

“Fire safety is not a luxury. It is a national necessity,” he said, emphasizing its role in protecting lives, sustaining investor confidence and safeguarding national development.

He indicated that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of the Interior has accelerated the digitization of public services, with multiple services already accessible through the Ministry’s e-Service platform.

According to the Minister, AFCAS will:

• Streamline inspection planning.
• Reduce turnaround time for certification.
• Generate reliable compliance data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Enhance transparency and traceability in regulatory processes.
• Support Ghana’s ease-of-doing-business reforms.

He stressed that a predictable and transparent regulatory environment is critical for attracting both local and foreign investment, adding that AFCAS directly supports that objective.

Commendation for First Female Chief Fire Officer

The Minister commended Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, noting her leadership in accelerating the system’s implementation timeline.

He acknowledged that initial projections estimated an 18 to 24-month rollout period but praised the Service for delivering the system within a significantly shorter timeframe.

Describing AFCAS as both a preventive and accountability tool, he said automation would minimize institutional bottlenecks while reinforcing public trust in the operations of the Ghana National Fire Service.

A New Era in Fire Safety Governance

With its official activation, AFCAS ushers Ghana into a new era of fire safety governance anchored on innovation, data-driven oversight and proactive risk management.

Authorities say the system is expected to significantly reduce fire outbreaks, minimize property losses and strengthen national resilience against fire disasters.

As Ghana’s cities expand and infrastructure investments grow, stakeholders at the launch agreed that the success of AFCAS will play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives, protecting businesses and securing the country’s development gains.

Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor