Surge in Prank Calls Overwhelms Ghana National Fire Service, Prompting Urgent Concerns

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is grappling with a concerning surge in prank calls inundating its emergency lines, marking a stark escalation from the relatively modest figures recorded between December 2018 and January 2019. During that period, the service fielded just over 297,000 prank calls.

Fast forward to the present year, and the situation has taken an alarming turn, with the GNFS contending with an overwhelming surge, surpassing a staggering 600,000 prank calls. Alex King Nartey, Assistant Divisional Officer at the Public Relations Department of the Service, conveyed his deep unease about this disconcerting trend.

In an interview with JoyNews’ Blessed Sogah, Nartey shed light on the severity of the issue, sharing instances of inappropriate statements made by the callers. He candidly revealed, “If I were to share some of the absurd things they say, you would be astonished. Individuals make calls to our emergency lines and engage in inappropriate behavior. This includes instances where they derive pleasure from making such calls. It’s a disconcerting truth.”

Nartey emphasized the gravity of callers’ need to refrain from such actions, underscoring that it not only poses a serious challenge for the GNFS but also results in detrimental delays in responding to genuine emergencies.