The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Friday, April 4, 2025, hosted a five-member delegation from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and KNUST led by Professor Emmanuel Nakua to discuss the next phase of a national drowning prevention initiative.
The meeting marked the closure of the first phase, which began in 2021 and trained GNFS personnel in water rescue. Research from the phase revealed over 1,360 drowning deaths occur annually in Ghana, mainly near beaches, pools, and wells.
The second phase will roll out soon, focusing on lifeguard deployment, nationwide water safety education for youth, and greater GNFS involvement in public safety outreach—implemented in partnership with the Ghana Life Saving and Diving Association.
CFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong reaffirmed GNFS’s commitment and appealed for support to train more personnel in swimming and rescue techniques to further prevent drowning and protect lives.