Ghana National Fire Service Retrains First Batch of Fire Police Officers

‍Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps – 

A new era in fire service operations has begun as 50 officers graduated as the first batch of retrained Fire Police Officers under the Ghana National Fire Service’s Basic Fire Police Course 1-2026.

The passing-out ceremony, held at the Ghana National Fire Service Fire Academy and Training School in Accra, marked what Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, described as “a defining moment” and “the birth of a new chapter” in Ghana’s emergency response and public safety operations.

The three-week intensive training programme was conducted to the standards of the Ghana Armed Forces Military Police, with officers drawn from various parts of the country.
Addressing the graduates, Hon. Terlabi praised the officers for successfully completing the rigorous programme.
“Fifty officers, carefully selected from the Service across the country, have come together and emerged as the first batch of retrained Fire Police Officers. Fifty officers. One nation. One standard,” he stated.

The Fire Police Unit, established in 1992 under the late Chief Fire Officer Samuel Valis Akyianu, is responsible for maintaining discipline within the service, enforcing internal regulations, investigating complaints, securing fire service facilities, and controlling crowds and traffic during emergency operations.

Hon. Terlabi highlighted the growing importance of the unit in modern firefighting operations, noting that emergency scenes are often chaotic and require effective security and coordination.

“When a fire engine arrives at an emergency scene, it does not arrive in a calm and orderly space. It arrives into chaos. Our firefighters deserve the assurance that someone is watching their backs. That assurance to those graduating today is your mandate,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also commended the Ghana Military Police instructors for their contribution to the training and described the collaboration between the security agencies as a strong example of the partnerships needed to strengthen Ghana’s national security framework.

He explained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Interior Ministry to improve operational readiness and enhance public safety across the country.
Hon. Terlabi further urged the newly trained officers to uphold the Fire Police Code of Ethics by demonstrating alertness, impartiality, courtesy, and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

He assured the officers of the Ministry’s continued commitment to investing in the unit through training, logistics, and personnel development, adding that the Ghana Military Police had pledged continued support for future training programmes.

“You carry with you today not only a certificate of completion. You carry a covenant with the Ghana National Fire Service, with your fellow officers, and with the people of this nation. Honour that covenant, serve with integrity and lead with discipline,” he charged the graduates.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief Fire Officer, directors of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Commandant of the Fire Academy and Training School, as well as the Provost Marshal and Commander of the Ghana Military Police.