Owners of fire extinguishers and other fire-safety equipment have been given six months to have them officially tagged by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) under a new digital compliance system.
The deadline, which runs from August 28, 2026, to February 28, 2027, forms part of the rollout of the Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System (AFCAS), introduced by the Fire Service to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of fire-safety requirements across the country.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, and signed by Emmanuel Bonney, Divisional Officer One (DO I) and Head of Public Relations of the GNFS.
Under the new system, owners of existing fire equipment are required to arrange for GNFS-authorised fire safety inspectors to inspect and tag their equipment within the six-month period.
The GNFS says newly imported fire equipment will, however, be tagged at the point of entry.
The Service is also asking the public to be more cautious about the fire-safety equipment they purchase, directing them to buy only fire extinguishers and other equipment bearing official GNFS-AFCAS tags and supplied by licensed Fire Protection Contractors.
Property managers, commercial operators, institutions, businesses and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have similarly been directed to engage only GNFS-AFCAS Licensed Fire Protection Contractors for the installation of fire alarms, extinguishers and other fire-safety equipment.
The GNFS says all installed equipment must carry an official GNFS-AFCAS QR code.
The AFCAS platform is also being opened to vehicle owners, residential and commercial property owners, and building owners or occupiers for online applications for fire permits, fire certificates and equipment tagging.
The Fire Service says the system is intended to “advance the objectives of the GNFS, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen the enforcement, monitoring, and overall administration of fire safety across Ghana.”
The move comes under the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (L.I. 1724), as amended by L.I. 2249, which require premises to obtain a fire permit before construction begins and a fire certificate after completion.
The regulations also require fire alarms, fire equipment and extinguishers to carry official GNFS tags for inspection.
The AFCAS portal is now live at www.afcas.gnfs.gov.gh.
The GNFS says an information brochure containing details on the application process, objectives, benefits and operational procedures is available on the platform, and has urged all relevant stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the guidelines before submitting their applications.
