The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, in a high-level engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

The visit, which brought together senior officials from both institutions, served as an opportunity for the minister to formally congratulate the Chief Fire Officer on her historic appointment as the first female Chief Fire Officer of Ghana.

He commended her leadership and expressed confidence in her ability to steer the Service through a rapidly changing risk landscape shaped by climate change.

In his remarks, Issifu underscored the growing link between climate change and fire-related hazards, including prolonged dry seasons, heatwaves, urban congestion, and environmental degradation—all of which increase the frequency and severity of fire outbreaks.

He emphasized that Ghana’s climate agenda must be closely aligned with emergency response agencies, noting that the Fire Service remains a frontline institution in protecting lives, property, and ecosystems.

The minister proposed deeper institutional collaboration in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, public education, and emergency preparedness.

As part of this vision, he highlighted the importance of establishing a dedicated Climate Change and Sustainability Unit within the Ghana National Fire Service to mainstream climate considerations into operational planning, training, and infrastructure development.

He further spoke about the need to decarbonize the Service, pointing to opportunities to adopt cleaner energy technologies, improve fleet efficiency, transition to renewable power sources at stations, and integrate environmentally responsible practices into daily operations.

Such measures, he noted, would not only reduce emissions but also enhance long-term operational resilience and cost efficiency.

Responding to the Minister, Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong warmly welcomed the visit and expressed appreciation for the government’s recognition of the Service’s expanding role in climate adaptation and disaster management.

She affirmed her strong commitment to collaboration and innovation, stressing that the Fire Service stands ready to work closely with the ministry to develop practical, forward-looking solutions that safeguard communities.

She also welcomed discussions around sustainability reforms and institutional capacity-building, noting that climate-responsive strategies would be essential to modernizing the service and strengthening national preparedness in the years ahead.

The meeting concluded with mutual assurances of continued engagement and technical cooperation, as both sides signaled their determination to translate the dialogue into concrete initiatives that advance Ghana’s climate resilience and public safety agenda.