Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a passionate call for a nationwide cultural shift toward safety, urging Ghanaians to embrace safety not as an afterthought but as a civic habit and shared responsibility.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the National Safety Awards 2025, held at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Headquarters in Accra on Friday, July 11, Minister Mubarak hailed the event as a milestone in Ghana’s development narrative one that celebrates excellence in public protection and reinforces a collective duty to preserve lives and livelihoods.
“Safety is never a matter of chance,” he said. “It is a conscious decision, a cultivated habit, and above all, a collective duty we owe to one another as a nation.”
The event, themed “Recognizing Excellence, Inspiring the Culture of Safety,” brought together frontline safety professionals, policymakers, civil society, and private sector leaders. Organised by the GNFS in partnership with TD-TIMAWT, the ceremony aimed to honour institutions and individuals who have gone above and beyond in advancing safety practices across Ghana.
Fire Service Lauded for Impact and Innovation
The Minister praised the Ghana National Fire Service for what he described as “relentless innovation and unwavering commitment” to public safety.
Citing impressive growth metrics, he revealed that GNFS had exceeded its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) targets over the past two years, raising GHS 4.18 million in 2023 (against a GHS 2.81m target), and GHS 4.55 million in 2024 (exceeding a GHS 3.47m goal). Donor contributions and application processing fees also rose by over 10%.
Beyond financials, the GNFS was lauded for tangible results on the ground: salvaging over GHS 151 million in property in the first quarter of 2025 alone, and significantly expanding its reach in fire safety inspections, permits, and certifications, a clear sign, according to the Minister, of growing public confidence and increased awareness.
“Your service saves lives, safeguards communities, and stabilises the heartbeat of our national development,” Hon. Mubarak affirmed.
The Minister underscored that Ghana’s progress in health, education, infrastructure, and the economy could only be sustainable if anchored by a robust safety culture. He therefore urged Ministries, the media, private sector actors, and citizens to view safety not as the duty of a few professionals, but as a whole-of-society responsibility.
“Let us empower our youth to see safety as strength,” he urged. “Let’s make it a national ethos.”
He further called on institutions to invest in technology, training, and systems that would enable Ghana to respond to emergencies with greater efficiency and foresight.
In summary, Hon. Minister Mubarak challenged award recipients to use the recognition not just as a reward but as a rallying cry to be “beacons of vigilance, courage, and professionalism.”
