Review of Catastrophic Fires and Risk Communication, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence and prevalence of catastrophic fire outbreaks in Ghana appear to be very high. We wanted to review the data on the incidence and prevalence of catastrophic fires in all the administrative regions of Ghana in order to understand the situation better. It would also help to inform policy and interventions. Objective: We reviewed the statistics and other data of catastrophic fires in Ghana between 2004 and 2012. We identified the potential limitations for the existing national fire prevention system and provided suggestions for improvement. Method: We adopted the annual statistical data of the incidence of fire nationwide compiled by the National Fire Service "as is". We relied on the Service's field reports at the time of fire interventions and telephone and key informant interview to determine whether there was pre-event, event and post-event risk communication on the threat of fire within the affected sites. We also reviewed the National Emergency Master Plan, 1997; amended (2010) to assess whether it addressed fire emergencies. We conducted field visits to the Fire Service sub-stations within Accra City to assess the conditions on the ground. We also carried out documentary search on the internet to locate appropriate literature and summarized the findings into their respective units. Result: The result shows that catastrophic fire outbreak in Ghana occurred at least once a month at the cost of USD $16 m per year between 2004 and 2012. There is no coordinated fire risk communication and advocacy, which may have led to the low risk perception in the population affected. Discussion: The recurrence of industrial and domestic fires in Ghana suggests that the population may have low risk perception, which requires intensified public education on risk in general. Conclusion: Residents in Ghana are confronted with the existential threat of fires in all their walks of lives, which needs to be addressed. The incidence and prevalence of fire risk in Ghana should be of interests to all.

Improving fire risk communication between authorities and micro‐entrepreneurs: A mental models study of Ghanaian central market fires

“…Although the GNFS and other disaster management authorities in the Metropolis had undertaken some preventive measures, such as communicating fire risk information publicly and educating the public to minimize the risk of fires, they had continued to find the fire disaster management challenging. Some researchers with the local knowledge of fires and risk communication argue that “risk communication and fire emergencies in Ghana often lags behind the emergency and mitigation.” (Norman et al., 2015, p.168). Researchers, media, and policymakers have continued to express concerns about the persistent and devastating fire at Kumasi Central Market and other central markets in Ghana that have severe social and economic consequences (Addai et al., 2016; Twum‐Barima, 2014).…”

Fire risk communication in the urban informal sector: Evidence from traditional marketplaces in Accra, Ghana

“…Generally, these insightful studies on marketplace fires in Ghana tie into the broader literature on the significance of the socio‐cultural dimensions of disaster risk communication (Abunyewah et al, 2019, 2020; Erdiaw‐Kwasie et al, 2019; Meyer, 2018; Monteil et al, 2020). Yet, this apparent sociological turn (Tierney, 2019) in understanding marketplace fire disasters in Ghana has not adequately explored how socio‐cultural factors influence risk communication and perceptions of fire disasters in traditional urban marketplaces and how they can inform better disaster planning and management (Giddens & Sutton, 2021; Norman et al, 2015). Clearly, this stands at odds with the evidence that the socio‐cultural aspects of risk communication are critical to devising appropriate strategies for preventing and managing disaster risks (Abunyewah et al, 2020; Fatemi et al, 2020; McMakin & Lundgren, 2018; Petrun, 2009).…”

Cross-Sectional and Medico-Legal Investigations of Covid-19 Response, Ghana

“…Risk communication envisions a system encompassing the actual communication of imminent danger to the community and early warning system, such as what Covid-19 pandemic called for [8]- [11]. The concept of risk perception deals with the overall awareness and knowledge surrounding a particular contingency or threat.…”