AG CFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong spoke at the launch of fire safety education for basic schools
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ulster University in the United Kingdom, has commenced preparation for a two-week intensive workshop aimed at developing a comprehensive fire safety education curriculum for basic schools across the country.
The workshop is scheduled to take place from June 11 to 20, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from education, emergency services, academia, and international partners under a unified mission; to inculcate the values of fire safety and emergency preparedness in school children through a structured curriculum.
In a press release dated June 11, 2025, it said the programme was officially opened by the Acting Chief Fire Officer (AG CFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, who emphasised the significance of early fire safety awareness in shaping a fire-conscious generation.
“This initiative is a bold and timely response to the growing need for early fire safety awareness. The introduction of the structured fire education in our schools will empower the next generation to protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” she noted.
AG CFO Ntow Sapong acknowledged the presence of key partners from Ulster University, Dr Nigel McConnell and Yahaya Abdulai.
She lauded the collaborative effort that birthed the co-production working group, the body responsible for fine-tuning the curriculum for the nationwide implementation.
She called on all participants, both local and international, to actively contribute their expertise to create a curriculum that is practical, inclusive, and impactful.
She further underscored the importance of producing not only a robust educational document, but also building teacher support materials, actionable content frameworks, and effective feedback mechanisms that will make the programme resonate with pupils and educators alike.
The initiative reflects the broader vision of the president of the republic and the Minister of the Interior, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to empowering the Ghana National Fire Service to play a leading role in equipping the young children with contemporary knowledge in fire safety.
“Their drive for a safer Ghana continues to inspire initiatives like this. As they work tirelessly to ensure fire safety becomes a shared responsibility embraced by all citizens,” she stated.
Officials from the Ghana Education Service, who are the main drivers and implementers of the initiative, are actively participating in the workshop and have expressed their readiness to support the integration of the final curriculum into the national syllabi.
They reaffirmed the GES’s belief in equipping learners not just academically, but also with practical life-saving skills as far as fire safety is concerned.
Dr Nigel McConnell of Ulster University commended Ghana for taking such a forward-thinking approach, noting that fire safety education at the basic level is essential to developing responsible and safety-conscious communities.
The Co-Production Working Group, made up of experts from the GNFS, GES, and Ulster University, will continue engaging relevant stakeholders during the workshop to ensure the curriculum aligns with local realities while meeting international best practices.
The Acting CFO also called on the media to give the programme extensive coverage.
“Your platforms are critical to amplifying this message and helping the public understand that fire safety begins with awareness and education,” she added.
The workshop is expected to culminate in a finalised curriculum that will be adopted into the GES syllabi, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s fire safety and educational reform agenda.
MRA/AE
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