GNFS refuses to release information on Atomic gas explosion, GRA fire despite RTI requests – MFWA claims

The Programme Manager for the Independent Journalism Project at the Media Foundation for West Africa, Kwaku Krobea Asante, has revealed that the Ghana National Fire Service declined to release information relating to two major fire incidents in Ghana despite formal requests made under the country’s Right to Information Law.

According to Mr. Asante, the information requests were submitted by investigative journalism platform The Fourth Estate as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and public access to important state records.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday during a discussion on corruption accountability and access to information, Mr. Asante said the requests focused on findings from investigations into the devastating Atomic Junction Gas Explosion and the fire outbreak at the Ghana Revenue Authority office at Circle in Accra.

“The National Fire Service, for instance, we requested information about a very important incident in our Ghanaian history. If you remember the Atomic gas explosion,” he stated.

“We requested information from them to know what the final report established after investigations and what lessons the country could learn from it. We also requested information about the GRA office fire at Circle, but the information was not released,” he added.

Mr. Asante explained that the Ghana National Fire Service justified its refusal by arguing that the requested reports involved “third-party issues,” making them unsuitable for public disclosure.

“At the time, the Ghana National Fire Service argued that the information had third parties involved,” he claimed during the interview.

He further disclosed that the matter was later referred to the Right to Information Commission, which reportedly sanctioned the Ghana National Fire Service with a fine of GH¢50,000 over its refusal to comply with the RTI request.

According to Mr. Asante, the incident raises broader concerns about institutional transparency and the enforcement of Ghana’s Right to Information framework, particularly in matters involving public safety, accountability and possible corruption-related issues.

He emphasized that denying access to reports on major national incidents undermines the constitutional right of citizens to obtain information that could contribute to public education, policy reforms and institutional accountability.

The Atomic Junction gas explosion remains one of Ghana’s most tragic industrial disasters in recent history, while the fire outbreak at the GRA office in Circle also attracted significant public concern due to the potential loss of important state records and operational disruptions.

Mr. Asante noted that such cases continue to expose tensions between government institutions seeking to limit disclosure and the growing public demand for openness and accountability in governance.