Ghana Gets Its First Female Fire Chief
Ghana has appointed its first female Chief Fire Officer, with Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong taking the helm of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) after more than three decades of service in the organisation.
Key Points
- President John Mahama confirmed the appointment at a commissioning ceremony on February 24, 2026
- Ntow Sarpong enlisted in the GNFS on November 1, 1992 as a Cadet Officer and was commissioned on August 6, 1993
- She holds a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from the University of Cape Coast and postgraduate qualifications from GIMPA
- She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management and Administrative Consultants (CIMAC)
- Samuel Basintale Amadu was simultaneously appointed Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service at the same ceremony
Context
Born on April 6, 1967, Ntow Sarpong received her early education at KNUST in the Ashanti Region before earning a Diploma in Estate Management and progressing through the ranks of the fire service over 33 years. Her career spans fire safety, emergency response, and administrative governance at the highest levels of the organisation.
Why It Matters
The appointment is a landmark moment for gender representation in Ghana’s public security institutions. The GNFS has historically been a male-dominated service, and placing a woman in its top leadership role sends a strong signal about the direction of public sector reform under President Mahama’s administration. It also sets a precedent for emergency services across West Africa.
Source: Ghanamma