The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) is worried about what it describes as a growing trend of prank and false emergency calls, warning that the practice is hampering ongoing flood response operations across the region.
Emergency institutions including the National Disaster Management Organisation, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Ambulance Service have been inundated with fake distress reports at a time when teams are actively responding to widespread flooding in parts of Greater Accra.
In a press release issued by the Council, available to Metro TV, GARCC expressed concern that such actions are directly undermining rescue and relief efforts.
“We have observed that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service, the Regional Coordinating Council, and the Office of the Greater Accra Regional Minister continue to receive numerous false distress reports and prank calls,” the statement said.
It added that these actions are having real operational consequences on emergency response.
“These actions divert critical resources and attention away from genuine emergency situations where lives and property are at immediate risk,” the Council noted.
GARCC further explained that emergency personnel remain fully engaged in rescue operations, relief distribution, and rapid response efforts but are being slowed down by misuse of communication lines.
“As emergency personnel work tirelessly to rescue stranded residents, provide relief to affected communities, and respond to urgent distress situations, the misuse of emergency communication channels places an unnecessary burden on responders and reduces the effectiveness of ongoing operations,” it stated.
The Council, which also chairs the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has therefore appealed directly to residents to desist from such conduct.
“As Chairperson of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), I appeal to you to act responsibly and refrain from making false emergency reports. Every prank call occupies vital communication lines, delays response times, and may prevent emergency teams from reaching individuals and communities that urgently need assistance,” it said.
It further urged the public to ensure that emergency lines are used strictly for genuine cases.
“We further urge you to use emergency contact lines only for legitimate emergencies and to cooperate fully with all response agencies as they continue to manage the flood situation across the region,” the statement added.
“The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely with all emergency and security agencies to safeguard lives and property and to ensure an effective and coordinated response to the current flooding situation,” it noted.
