Fire Safety Promotion Award Recognizes Samira Larbie’s Impactful Journalism
Accra, July 12 – The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has presented its Fire Safety Promotion Award to Ms. Samira Larbie, Chief Reporter at the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in recognition of her outstanding efforts in advancing public fire safety awareness through consistent, accurate reporting.
Ms. Larbie has worked closely with the GNFS, supporting its mission to protect lives and property across Ghana. She was among three media professionals honored at the 2025 National Safety Awards ceremony, where Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong presented plaques and citations.
Her citation, titled “Excellence in Safety Journalism,” praised her commitment to promoting national safety through impactful storytelling. It underscored the crucial role of the media in strengthening awareness and driving safety reforms.
A Voice for Informed Communities
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Larbie emphasized the media’s responsibility in national development and education.
“This recognition is not just for me but for every journalist who believes saving lives begins with informed communities,” she stated.
She called on her peers to use their platforms to deliver life-saving information, especially to under-resourced communities where fire safety education is often lacking.
“Media is not only about headlines; it’s about making an impact. Reporting these vital stories has challenges, but they are essential. Too many lives have been lost to preventable fires.”
She also advocated for stronger partnerships between the media and emergency services to sustain public education efforts.
Honoring Media and Promoting a Safety Culture
Other award recipients included Juliet Mettle-Edmonds, News Editor at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, presenter of Peace FM’s Drive Time Show.
Held under the theme “Recognising Excellence, Inspiring a Culture of Safety,” the awards celebrated individuals and institutions committed to promoting safety nationwide. Chief Fire Officer Ntow-Sapong stated that the event aimed to encourage safety in everyday spaces—homes, schools, roads, markets, and workplaces.
She highlighted that over the past two years, the GNFS had:
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Issued 41,000+ fire certificates and 9,000 fire permits
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Conducted 32,626 fire audits and inspections
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Delivered over 33,000 public education sessions
These efforts reportedly helped save GH¢354 million worth of property from fire disasters.
Fire Incidents and the Way Forward
Despite these efforts, GNFS recorded a 0.53% rise in fire incidents in the first half of 2025, with 3,595 cases, compared to 3,576 in the same period in 2024. This increase is largely linked to non-compliance with safety rules and harsh weather conditions earlier in the year.
The awards ceremony drew key stakeholders, including Interior Minister Alhaji Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, representatives from the security sector, and corporate organizations.
For more details, please visit the Ghana News Agency.
