A transformative initiative led by the Ghana National Fire Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and Ulster University, has launched a two-week workshop to develop a groundbreaking fire safety curriculum for basic schools—aiming to nurture a safety-conscious generation from the classroom up.
Scheduled from *June 11–20, 2025,* the workshop brings together key stakeholders from emergency services, the education sector, academia, and international collaborators. The goal: to produce a practical, inclusive, and impactful curriculum that will shape a generation of fire-conscious and safety-aware Ghanaian children.
The event was officially opened by *Acting Chief Fire Officer (AG CFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong*, who underscored the importance of instilling safety habits early in life.
“This initiative is a bold and timely response to the growing need for early fire safety awareness. By introducing structured fire education into our schools, we are empowering the next generation to protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” she said.
AG CFO Ntow Sapong praised the collaborative effort that formed the *Co-Production Working Group*, which comprises experts from GNFS, GES, and Ulster University. She highlighted the contributions of *Dr. Nigel McConnell* and *Mr. Yahaya Abdulai* from Ulster University, and urged all participants to contribute actively toward a curriculum that not only educates but also engages.
The envisioned curriculum will include teaching materials, teacher support guides, and feedback mechanisms to ensure relevance and effectiveness in classroom settings. GES officials present at the workshop reaffirmed their commitment to integrating the final output into the national syllabi and equipping pupils with essential life-saving knowledge.
Dr. McConnell lauded Ghana’s forward-thinking approach, stating,
“Fire safety education at the basic level is essential in developing responsible and safety-conscious communities.”
The initiative aligns with the broader vision of the *President of the Republic* and the *Honourable Minister for the Interior,* whose support for GNFS continues to drive reforms aimed at making safety a shared national responsibility.
The workshop is expected to culminate in the adoption of a standardized fire safety curriculum for basic schools nationwide—an unprecedented milestone in Ghana’s fire prevention and educational reform efforts.
AG CFO Sapong called on the media to amplify the campaign, saying,
“Your platforms are critical to helping the public understand that fire safety begins with awareness and education.”
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
