Déjà vu for Mahama as Ghana’s fire crisis deepens

President John Mahama faces a familiar challenge with recent fire outbreaks.

These incidents remind him of 2013, shortly after he took office.

In January 2013, Ghana experienced 166 fire outbreaks in just two weeks.

The Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions had over 60% of these fires.

Markets and commercial areas were the hardest hit.

Concerned about the situation, Mahama's administration sought help from U.S. fire experts.

They aimed to find causes and solutions for Ghana’s ongoing fire issues.

More than ten years later, the country still struggles with similar problems.

Access to fire scenes is often restricted, and hydrants are mostly non-functional.

Cooking at market centers and electrical faults also contribute to the danger.

However, the scale of the problem has worsened significantly.

Reported fire outbreaks have increased from 478 in 2013 to over 6,000 in 2024.

Damage costs have soared from around GHS 15 million to over GHS 270 million.

Despite numerous investigations, lasting solutions remain elusive.

Structural challenges persist across the country.

Over half of Ghana’s fire hydrants do not work properly.

Additionally, more than half of firefighting trucks are out of service.

These issues hinder firefighters' ability to control fires effectively.

Now, just three months into his second term, Mahama faces another surge in fires.

Two major blazes have already caused significant property damage.

This situation raises new concerns about Ghana’s readiness for such disasters.

Mahama's manifesto for 2024 promises improved operational logistics for firefighting.

This includes more fire tenders and protective gear for firefighters.

However, these commitments are not part of his immediate social contract.

Meanwhile, businesses and individuals continue to suffer heavy losses.

The country awaits real results from years of investigations and policy pledges.