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The ongoing misuse of its emergency lines by prank callers has prompted the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to issue a strong warning, emphasising that the practice is endangering the lives of citizens who actually need assistance.
Deep frustration was expressed by ADO I Derrick Elorm Adzokpa of the GNFS Public Relations Department in an interview on Channel One TV on Friday, May 9.
Describing how emergency responses are delayed and vital lines are tied up by false alarms, Adzokpa said; “The prank calls are killing us.”
Adzokpa credited greater public education for the 31.52% decrease in prank calls during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, but the problem still exists.
“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 can even deny someone who has a real issue the help they urgently need.” He mentioned.
In the event that the main emergency numbers are busy, Adzokpa advised the public to think about using the alternate numbers, 0302 772 446 and 0299 340 383. He promised that callers would be immediately connected to a dispatcher and that these hotlines are monitored.
“Even one prank call can cost lives.”Adzokpa said, reaffirming the GNFS’s call for responsible conduct.
Taking the matter seriously, he urged Ghanaians to save emergency lines for actual emergencies.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Najat Adamu