By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has expressed concern over the growing incidence of prank and false emergency calls being directed to emergency response agencies and public officials amidst the ongoing flooding affecting several parts of the Greater Accra Region, according to a statement late Sunday.
The statement, signed by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, various state agencies continue to receive numerous false distress reports and prank calls.
According to her, such actions divert critical resources and attention away from genuine emergency situations where lives and property are at immediate risk.
“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 circulation of old and misleading videos of previous flood incidents on social media and other digital platforms is creating unnecessary panic and confusion among the public,” read the statement.
Hon. Akweley Ocloo appealed to all residents to act responsibly and refrain from making false emergency reports or sharing unverified flood-related content.
“Every prank call occupies vital communication lines, delays response times, and may prevent emergency teams from reaching individuals and communities that urgently need assistance,” the minister added.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister further urged the public to use emergency contact lines only for legitimate emergencies, verify information before sharing it, and rely on official sources for updates on the flood situation.
She also called on residents to support emergency responders by providing accurate and timely information and by helping to keep emergency communication systems available for those in genuine need. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
