Ghana National Fire Service to Launch Digital System for Permits and Safety Checks

The Ghana National Fire Service is preparing to move key fire-safety applications online through the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System, or AFCAS.

The platform will allow homeowners, businesses, property managers, commercial operators and vehicle owners to apply for fire permits, certificates and equipment tags. The service said the system forms part of its digital transformation agenda and is intended to improve compliance, enforcement, monitoring and public service delivery.

Under Regulations 1 and 2 of L.I. 1724, as amended, all residential and commercial premises must obtain a fire permit before construction begins and a fire certificate after work is completed. The GNFS also urged the public to buy only extinguishers and other safety equipment bearing official GNFS-AFCAS tags from licensed fire-protection contractors.

Property managers, institutions, businesses and local assemblies were directed to use only GNFS-AFCAS licensed contractors when installing alarms, extinguishers and other fire-safety equipment. Newly imported equipment will receive tags at points of entry. Owners of existing equipment will have six months after implementation begins to arrange tagging by GNFS-authorized inspectors.

The service has published an information brochure on the AFCAS platform explaining applications, objectives, benefits and operating procedures. It said the system would depend on cooperation from all stakeholders as Ghana begins the national initiative.

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The GNFS counts on the full cooperation of all stakeholders as we commence this key national initiative to improve safety nationwide.