The Ghana Burns Survivors Foundation has renewed calls for the Government of Ghana to designate June 3 as National Burns Awareness Day, saying the move would honour burn victims and survivors while promoting greater public education on burn prevention and safety.
According to the Foundation, the date holds special significance as it commemorates one of Ghana’s most tragic national disasters. Beyond remembrance, it believes the day should serve as a national platform for raising awareness, promoting safety measures and supporting burn survivors.
“Turning June 3 into National Burns Awareness Day will transform remembrance into action. It will help save lives, improve support systems for survivors, and strengthen public awareness on burn prevention across Ghana,” the Foundation said in a statement.
The organisation noted that thousands of Ghanaians suffer burn injuries every year, with many survivors facing long-term physical, emotional, social and financial challenges. It added that children, women, workers and other vulnerable groups remain among those most at risk.
“Domestic fires, gas explosions, electrical faults, industrial accidents, road crashes and the unsafe handling of flammable substances continue to put lives in danger,” the statement said.
The Foundation argued that officially recognising June 3 as National Burns Awareness Day would support efforts to strengthen public education on fire and burn prevention, encourage safer practices in homes and workplaces, improve emergency response and burn care, and promote stronger policies aimed at protecting burn survivors.
“We aim to increase public education on fire and burn prevention; promote safety practices in homes, schools, workplaces and public spaces; encourage early response and proper burn care; and strengthen national policies on burn prevention and survivor support,” the Foundation stated.
As part of its campaign, the organisation urged the public to adopt simple but effective safety measures to reduce the risk of burn-related injuries.
These include regularly inspecting gas cylinders and electrical installations, keeping flammable materials away from children, avoiding unsafe fuel storage and illegal electrical connections, observing fire safety regulations in homes, markets, schools and workplaces, and learning basic first-aid techniques for burns and emergencies.
The Foundation also appealed to government agencies, policymakers, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, development partners and the media to support efforts aimed at reducing burn injuries across the country.
Reaffirming its commitment to burn survivors, the organisation said it would continue to advocate for their recovery, inclusion, dignity and well-being while pushing for stronger support systems and sustained public awareness.
“Together, we can build a safer and more compassionate society where preventable burns are reduced, and survivors are supported with care, dignity and hope,” the statement added.