One Prank Call Can Cost Lives - GNFS Sounds Alarm

Accra, Ghana - 09 May, 2025 - The Ghana National Fire Service is sounding the alarm on the persistent threat of prank calls to its emergency lines, warning that these actions can have deadly consequences by blocking access to those in genuine need of help.

Despite a notable decline in such calls, the service remains concerned about the impact on its ability to respond promptly to emergencies.

According to ADO 1 Derrick Elorm Adzokpa of the GNFS Public Relations Department, prank calls dropped by 31.52% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

“It means people are now understanding the effects and implications of these calls,” he said in an interview on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, May 9.

This improvement is attributed to enhanced public education and growing awareness of the consequences of misusing emergency channels. 

However, Adzokpa emphasized that even one prank call can cost lives by denying someone with a real emergency access to emergency services.

“The prank calls are killing us.''

“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.”

The GNFS is urging the public to use alternative contact numbers when the main lines are congested. The alternative hotlines, 0302772446 and 0299340383, according to hum, are designed to provide an additional avenue for people to reach the service during emergencies. Adzokpa assured that calls to these numbers will be attended to promptly.

“The moment you call this number, you will get someone to speak to, and then we will attend to you,” he assured.

Source: Lead News Online