Only five of about 30 fire hydrants in the Ministries enclave in Accra are fully functional, an inspection by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has found. The remaining 23 hydrants were non-functional, while two recorded low water pressure.
The inspection was carried out by the Greater Accra Regional Fire Command in collaboration with Ghana Water Limited. The GNFS shared the findings in a Facebook post on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The exercise also found that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), which manages government payments, has no fire hydrant on its premises at all.
The Fire Service said the inspection is part of a proactive drive to identify, repair and restore faulty hydrants ahead of the fire season.
Only 5 of 30 Fire Hydrants Working in Accra Ministries Enclave – GNFS
Only five fire hydrants fully functional in Ministries enclave
According to the GNFS, the inspection team identified about 30 fire hydrants within the enclave and surrounding areas.
Of these, only five were fully functional and recorded high water pressure. Two others had low water pressure, which could limit how much water firefighters can draw during an emergency.
The remaining 23 hydrants were found to be non-functional, raising concerns about access to water if a fire breaks out in one of the country’s most important administrative areas.
Fire hydrant inspection results in figures
- Hydrants identified: About 30
- Fully functional (high pressure): 5
- Working but low pressure: 2
- Non-functional: 23
- Share not working: More than three in every four hydrants
- Institutions with no hydrant found: Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD)
CAGD has no fire hydrant on its premises
One of the key findings was that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department had no fire hydrant installed at its offices.
Greater Accra Regional Fire Officer, ACFO II Rashid Nisawu, advised the management of CAGD to work with the GNFS and Ghana Water Limited to facilitate the installation of a hydrant at the facility.
Government institutions covered by the fire hydrant inspection
The inspection covered several key state institutions within the Ministries enclave and nearby areas. These include:
- State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA)
- Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
- Ministries of Transport, Roads and Highways, Energy, and Finance
- Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
- Ghana Health Service (GHS)
- National Lottery Authority (NLA)
- The Court Complex
- Accra Sports Stadium
Many of these buildings hold important government records and serve large numbers of workers and members of the public every day.
Why working fire hydrants matter in Accra
Fire hydrants give firefighters a direct water supply at the scene of a fire, reducing the need to shuttle water in tenders from distant points.
When hydrants fail, fire crews can run out of water mid-operation, allowing fires to spread and cause greater damage. Past major fires in Accra, such as the fire that engulfed Kantamanto Market, have kept public attention on fire safety and emergency response in the capital.
What the hydrant findings mean for workers and the public
For the thousands of public servants and visitors who use the Ministries enclave, the findings point to a gap in fire safety readiness.
For the institutions involved, the report is a call to work with the Fire Service and Ghana Water Limited to fix faulty hydrants and, where none exist, install new ones.
The GNFS said restoring the hydrants would improve emergency response and help protect lives and property in the event of fire outbreaks.
What happens next
The Greater Accra Regional Fire Command says the inspection is the first step in a process to identify, repair and restore non-functional hydrants before the fire season.
CAGD has been advised to begin arrangements with the GNFS and Ghana Water Limited for a hydrant to be installed on its premises. More information and safety updates are available from the Ghana National Fire Service.
Key details at a glance
- About 30 fire hydrants were inspected in the Ministries enclave, Accra.
- Only 5 were fully functional with high water pressure.
- 2 hydrants had low water pressure; 23 were non-functional.
- The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department has no fire hydrant.
- The inspection was done by the Greater Accra Regional Fire Command and Ghana Water Limited.
- ACFO II Rashid Nisawu advised CAGD to arrange a hydrant installation.
- The exercise is part of preparations ahead of the fire season.
FAQs
How many fire hydrants are working in the Ministries enclave in Accra?
Only five of about 30 hydrants inspected were fully functional. Two had low water pressure and 23 were not working.
Who inspected the fire hydrants at the Ministries in Accra?
The Greater Accra Regional Fire Command of the Ghana National Fire Service carried out the inspection together with Ghana Water Limited.
Which institution in the Ministries enclave has no fire hydrant?
The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) was found to have no fire hydrant on its premises.
The GNFS inspection shows that more than three-quarters of fire hydrants in Accra’s Ministries enclave are not working, with only five fully functional and the CAGD lacking a hydrant altogether. The Fire Service says it will work with Ghana Water Limited to repair and restore the faulty hydrants ahead of the fire season, and has urged affected institutions to cooperate to protect lives and property.
