By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Public Relations Department of the Ghana National Fire Service (Ghana National Fire Service) says prank calls to its emergency lines remain a major obstacle to effective emergency response.
According to ADO 1 Derrick Elorm Adzokpa, such calls take a huge toll on the Service’s ability to respond promptly to genuine emergencies.
Speaking on Channel One TV, ADO 1 Adzokpa described the persistent misuse of emergency lines as an unhealthy situation that must change.
He acknowledged that while the Service has seen some improvement in recent times, the problem of prank calls must be eliminated entirely.
According to him, prank calls dropped by 31.52% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, an improvement he attributed to enhanced public education and growing awareness of the consequences of misusing emergency channels.
“It means people are now understanding the effects and implications of these calls,” ADO 1 Adzokpa noted on Friday, May 9, 2025.
He, however, cautioned that despite the progress, prank calls remain a serious concern, particularly because they can block access for those in real need of help.
“Sometimes, when there is an emergency and you call 112 or 192 and it’s not going through, it means someone else is on the line—and that could be a prank call. You could even deny someone with a real emergency the help they urgently need,” he said.
For quicker emergency response, ADO 1 Adzokpa urged the public to use the following alternative contact numbers when the main lines are congested: 0302772446 and 0299340383.
“The moment you call these numbers, you will get someone to speak to, and then we will attend to you,” he assured.
The GNFS continues to urge the responsible use of emergency services and warns that even one prank call can cost lives.
