Ghana commissions committee to overhaul national fire safety regulations

Ghanaian Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has inaugurated the Ghana Fire Code Committee in Accra to develop a modern, enforceable national fire code. The initiative, supported by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the World Bank, aims to address heightened fire risks resulting from rapid urbanization, economic growth, and the rise of complex industrial facilities and modern construction methods.

The new regulatory framework is intended to be practical and tailored to local conditions, including Ghana’s specific construction practices and enforcement capacities, while incorporating relevant international standards. The Minister emphasized that the code must account for emerging risks from new technologies, energy systems, and hazardous materials.

Additionally, the framework seeks to provide clear guidance for architects, engineers, developers, and regulators to reduce ambiguity in fire-safety applications. Minister Muntaka noted that fire safety is a shared responsibility, calling for collaboration between government institutions, professional associations, academia, and the private sector to protect lives, property, and the environment.