“Someone called to say his beard was on fire” – Fire officer cries out over bizarre prank calls

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Makay
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An officer of the Ghana National Fire Service

An officer of the Ghana National Fire Service has recounted some bizarre prank calls received at the fire service’s call centre.

According to the Officer, in some instances someone called saying is beard was on fire, another called insulting the officers for playing dame.

 Speaking to the media, the fire officer stated, “Someone calls you and says his beard is burning, so come help him quench it; some even call us, insulting us. We get a lot of prank calls from the public, and we are advising the public against it”.

Some Ghanaians, reacting to the fire officer’s remarks, stated, “Just denying people who need them urgently to douse their fire the opportunity to be attended to on time. We’ll be the same people to complain they don’t arrive at fire scenes on time”.

“That’s why you’re getting paid. Still not enough to explain why you go to fore scenes with no water. Making excuses is zero sense”, a netizen added.

“I think it’s about time that we make a law to fine those who make these prank calls. These people are dealing with lives and properties. Don’t take anything for granted”, one X user added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has announced a significant decline in prank calls.

The GNFS in the first quarter of 2025 recorded a 31.52% drop from the same period last year.

Desmond E. Ackah, the Head of Public Relations, Divisional Officer II, highlighted that in January and March 2025, they received 131,862 prank calls, a decline from the 192,545 calls logged within the same timeframe in 2024.

He attributed the progress to intensified and sustained public education.

“Prank calls seriously undermine emergency response by wasting critical resources and delaying real interventions,” the statement noted.

“Such acts pose significant risks to lives and property and are punishable under Ghanaian law.”

Also, in an interview on Channel One TV on Friday, May 9, 2025, ADO 1 Adzokpa described the frequent abuse of emergency hotlines as troubling.

“When someone with a genuine emergency can’t get through on 112 or 192 because the line is tied up by a prank, lives are put at risk,” he explained.

He assured, “The moment you call these numbers, someone will respond and ensure help reaches you”.

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