What is This New Fire Service Insurance Plan?
The Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, announced a new insurance plan for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on June 20, 2025, during a passing-out ceremony in Accra. The package aims to lift firefighters’ spirits and secure their future, offering financial support for injuries or death on duty.
Firefighters who suffer non-permanent injuries will receive GH¢50,000, while those with permanent injuries or who die on duty will get GH¢100,000. Families of officers who pass away naturally while in service will also receive GH¢50,000. Muntaka called this a starting point for improving firefighter welfare.
The announcement came as 1,658 new firefighters, including 843 men and 815 women, graduated from the Fire Academy in Jamestown. Muntaka promised more support, like better equipment, to help the GNFS handle emergencies. He noted a slight drop in fire incidents, with 2,261 cases in early 2025 compared to 2,313 last year.
The minister also urged the public to stop making prank calls to emergency lines, which delay real rescues and could cost lives. The insurance plan is part of a broader push to retool the GNFS, with President Mahama pledging GH¢1 billion to upgrade security services, including fire equipment.
This new support has raised hopes for better working conditions for firefighters, who often risk their lives with outdated tools. The government’s focus on their welfare aims to strengthen the GNFS and ensure safer communities across Ghana.