The government has announced plans to purchase new fire engines to replace ageing vehicles in the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) fleet, some of which have been in service for over 15 years.

The outdated equipment has hampered emergency response efforts, making it difficult to contain fire outbreaks, resulting in severe property damage and, in some cases, loss of life.

The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak made this known in Parliament on Tuesday, March 18, 2025,  while responding to concerns over the country’s fire preparedness.

He stated that discussions are ongoing with the Finance Ministry to secure funds for the new fire engines, adding that the procurement may be included in the mid-year budget review.

As an interim measure, the government has directed the GNFS to repair faulty fire engines to increase the number of operational vehicles available for emergencies.

Mr Muntaka-Mubarak revealed that out of 247 fire appliances nationwide, 48 are currently out of service, and efforts are underway to fix them at various workshops.

He further noted that the government is engaging private sector organisations and philanthropists to assist the fire service with logistics while awaiting the arrival of new equipment.

The Interior Minister was pressed for a clear timeline for the procurement of the new vehicles, but Mr Muntaka-Mubarak could not provide a specific date, stating that it would depend on the availability of funds.

He reiterated, however, that the government was determined to address the GNFS’s challenges and improve fire response across the country.

Mr Muntaka-Mubarak assured MPs that the government would take immediate action to address the concerns raised, adding that fire safety remains a national priority.