Zonal and Regional Distribution Patterns of Accidental Fire-Related Events in Ghana: A Retrospective Analysis

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_51How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Fire Incidents; Public Safety; Regional Disparities; Urbanization

Abstract

Fire incidents prevail in Ghana, leading to significant fatalities and considerable financial losses. Inadequate efforts are implemented to reduce such occurrences, regardless of their increasing severity. The study aims to reveal trends, high-risk environments, and key contributors to their frequency. Using data sources from the Ghana National Fire Service and other public records, retrospective analysis spanned between 2013-2018 for 12 fire regions, and 2019-2022, for 18 fire regions. Categorizations included Coastal, Forest, Northern, and Rainforest zones. Data was analysed to determine frequency, injury and fatality rates, and damage costs. Variations and correlations were assessed, alongside demographic patterns and urbanization. Between 2013 and 2022, an estimated total of 59,971 incidents were recorded, with damage costs of GHC 403 million,1128 injuries, and 411 deaths. The highest incidents were consistently recorded for Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, corresponding with high urbanization and population density. On the zonal level, majority were recorded for the Coastal and Forest. Population concentration, poor planning, and electrical faults were identified as key risk factors. In 2022, a notable spike occurred in injuries and fatalities, sparking public safety concerns. A significant correlation existed between population density and fire cases between 2019-2022. The study emphasises the need for a strategic shift from reactive to proactive fire-risk management and risk-informed urban governance. The study reveals critical vulnerabilities and spatial disparities in Ghana’s fire safety landscape. Targeted regional and zonal interventions are required for infrastructure upgrades and sustained awareness, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing zones.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Joana Agyekum-Sah
AU  - Justice Agbevade
AU  - Afua Ampomah Amoako
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/31
TI  - Zonal and Regional Distribution Patterns of Accidental Fire-Related Events in Ghana: A Retrospective Analysis
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering, Science, and Urban Sustainability (ICESUS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 806
EP  - 835
SN  - 2352-5401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_51
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_51
ID  - Agyekum-Sah2025
ER  -