Interior Minister Commissions Committee to Develop National Fire Code

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has commissioned the Ghana Fire Code Committee to develop a comprehensive, modern, and enforceable national fire code to strengthen fire safety management in Ghana.

Led by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the initiative aims to establish a regulatory framework that can respond to the country’s changing urban, industrial, and technological landscape.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Accra on Thursday, Mr Muntaka described the development of the national fire code as a matter of significant importance to public safety, national security and sustainable development.

He said fire safety was fundamentally a public safety and national development issue, requiring a regulatory framework that could effectively address the changing nature of fire risks across the country.

The Minister commended the GNFS for taking the lead in the process and expressed the Government’s appreciation to the World Bank and other development partners for their support towards the initiative.

He noted that Ghana’s rapid urbanisation and economic growth, coupled with the increasing complexity of buildings and industrial facilities, had heightened the risks associated with fire outbreaks.

Mr Muntaka, therefore, stressed the need for the new Code to be practical, technically sound and risk-informed, while reflecting Ghana’s local conditions, construction practices, economic realities and enforcement capacity.

He said although the Code should draw from relevant international standards, it must be tailored to Ghana’s specific circumstances to ensure that its provisions could be effectively implemented and enforced.

The Minister further directed that the Code should take into account emerging fire risks associated with new technologies, evolving energy systems, hazardous materials and modern construction methods.

He said a clear and comprehensive Code would also help reduce ambiguity among key stakeholders, including architects, engineers, developers, regulators and enforcement agencies.

Mr Muntaka emphasised that fire safety was a shared responsibility and called for strong collaboration among government institutions, regulatory bodies, professional associations, academia, industry players and the general public.

He urged the Committee to undertake broad consultations and ensure that the views and expertise of relevant stakeholders were incorporated into the development of the Code.

The Minister expressed confidence that the Committee would deliver a Code that provides a strong and enduring foundation for fire-safety management in Ghana to protect lives, property and the environment.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD