- At its 30th anniversary celebration, the Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA) in Ghana’s Upper West Region called for fair representation of women in frontline firefighting roles.
- Leaders of the group argued that female officers are often sidelined into support duties despite having the skills and resilience to serve on the fireground.
- With women now nearly matching men in numbers regionally, and eight of fourteen national directorates headed by women, FISLA says it’s time to dismantle outdated perceptions and ensure equal operational opportunities.
Three decades after its founding, the Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA) is making it clear: women in Ghana’s Fire Service are ready for the frontlines — and they’re done being sidelined.
At the Upper West Region’s celebration of FISLA’s 30th anniversary, members used the occasion to spotlight a persistent issue: unequal deployment. Despite growing numbers and proven capability, female officers are still largely assigned to communication and support roles, while their male colleagues dominate operational firefighting duties.
FISLA Vice President Patience Bapono voiced frustration over the outdated perception that women are less suited for fieldwork. She argued that resilience, training, and commitment — not gender — should determine who gets sent to fire scenes.
The numbers back her up. According to FISLA President Jucunda Dery, the Upper West Region now has 190 women in the Fire Service — nearly equal to the number of men. And with Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong at the helm nationally, women have proof that leadership is within reach.
The Regional Commander also acknowledged the growing influence of women in the Service, noting that eight out of fourteen national directorates are currently led by female officers. It’s a sign of progress, but FISLA says more needs to be done to ensure that representation isn’t just administrative — it must extend to the fireground.
The anniversary, themed “From sparks to flames,” was both a celebration and a rallying cry. FISLA is calling for a shift in mindset, policy, and deployment practices to reflect the reality that women are not just capable — they’re essential to the future of Ghana’s firefighting force.
