Fire Outbreak at Accra Recycling Plant Highlights the Critical Role of Strong Public Institutions

“I wish to begin with a line that remains as powerful today as the day it was spoken: Africa doesn’t need strongmen; it needs strong institutions.”

These were the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama when he addressed Ghana’s Parliament on July 11, 2009. More than a decade later, those words continue to speak truth across the continent, reminding us that a nation’s strength rests not in individuals, but in institutions that uphold safety, justice, and accountability.

One of those institutions is the Ghana National Fire Service, particularly the committed officers serving the Greater Accra Region. Their work often goes unnoticed until a crisis hits, yet they remain among the most essential protectors of life and property.

For many, fire outbreaks feel like distant stories, something that happens to other people. But when you find flames threatening your home and the lives of your family, the value of the firefighters who respond becomes undeniably clear. They are more than uniformed workers; they are frontline defenders.

Yesterday, that reality became deeply personal for me. A newly established plastic recycling plant near my home went up in flames. Because plastic and rubber burn with extreme intensity, the fire grew quickly, creating a dangerous scene that could easily have consumed everything nearby. My home, with my wife and child inside, stood in harm’s way.

Only one group stood between disaster and safety: the Greater Accra Command of the Ghana National Fire Service.

Their response was rapid, coordinated, and exceptionally professional. Firefighters arrived ready to confront a blaze so fierce that it took nearly seven hours of continuous effort to bring it under control. The endurance required for such a battle cannot be overstated.

As they worked, these officers faced heavy smoke, intense heat, and challenging conditions. They handled equipment with precision and positioned themselves strategically to stop the flames from spreading to nearby homes. Without their bravery, the story today would have been one of destruction and grief. Instead, it is one of gratitude.

This experience reinforced a simple truth: institutions like the Ghana National Fire Service deserve our appreciation, cooperation, and support. Regardless of any broader challenges within the system, the men and women on the ground put their lives on the line for our safety.

It also highlighted another important point: fire safety is a shared responsibility. Factories, businesses, and households must follow proper safety procedures. When regulations are ignored, everyone is put at risk.

This is why regulatory bodies must remain active and vigilant. Institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; the Environmental Protection Authority; the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies; the Ghana Standards Authority; the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources; and of course, the Ghana National Fire Service, all play critical roles. Regular inspections, strict enforcement, and adherence to safety standards are essential if we want to prevent avoidable disasters.

To the heroic team of the Greater Accra Command of the Ghana National Fire Service, I offer my heartfelt appreciation. You turned what could have been a tragedy into a powerful reminder of why strong institutions matter. Your courage protected families, saved homes, and preserved hope.

May we continue to support the public institutions that safeguard our wellbeing, and may regulatory agencies remain committed to ensuring that industries operate safely and responsibly.

Thank you to the Greater Accra Fire Service. You are the quiet guardians standing between danger and safety, and we are grateful.

By Evans Mawunyo Tsikata, on behalf of all nearby residents.