The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has tasked the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to prioritise a comprehensive review of the Fire Service Act to reflect the evolving demands of modern fire and rescue services.

The 11-member council, chaired by President’s nominee Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, was officially sworn in at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior’s conference room in Accra.

In his remarks, the Interior Minister reminded the council of the importance of aligning their work with both the letter and spirit of the Fire Service Act, Act 537 of 1997.

“Your work as council members must reflect this expanded and complex mandate. In this regard, I am directing the council to make it a strategic priority to initiate and lead a comprehensive review of the Fire Service Act, Act 537-1997,” he said.

According to Alhaji Muntaka, the review must aim at realigning the service’s legal framework to meet current realities, as well as emerging global standards and trends in fire safety, disaster management, and rescue operations.

For his part, the Chairman of the Council, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, pledged the council’s commitment to strengthening the GNFS, not just through policy direction but by advocating for improved logistics and equipment.

“We will do the best we can to lobby through the Minister for the Interior to ensure the Fire Service is fully equipped to be operationally efficient. Often, when there are fire incidents, especially in the markets, the Fire Service is blamed. But we need to consider how resourceful the service is,” he noted.

Nana Ahenkan II expressed optimism that under the new council’s leadership, the GNFS will receive the necessary support to enhance fire prevention education and emergency response nationwide.

Members of the New Governing Council:

1. Nana Ofori Ahenkan II – Chairman and Presidential Nominee
2. Mr. Anthony Kwadzo Zanu – Member, Presidential Nominee
3. Elsie Appau-Klu Esq. – Presidential Nominee
4. Enock Boadu Amo – Director at the Ministry of the Interior
5. Ag. CFO Mawusi – Chief Fire Officer, GNFS
6. Gloria Bortele Noi – Ag. Chief Director, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations
7. Ing. Cynthia Anana – Engineer, Ministry of Roads and Highways
8. Chris Pobee Abbey – Ag. Director of Works, Ministry of Works and Housing
9. Mrs. Evelyn Keelson – Chief State Attorney, Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice
10. DII Clifford Teiko Ashie – Senior Officer, GNFS (Senior Officers’ Representative)
11. STNOI Alhaji Alhassan Iddrisu – Station Officer I, GNFS (Junior Officers’ Representative)

The newly inaugurated council is expected to play a key role in shaping policy, improving service delivery, and guiding the Ghana National Fire Service towards greater operational excellence.