A fire outbreak has severely damaged the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC), a key facility promoting tourism in Ghana’s capital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 4, 2025, around 1:00 a.m., with thick plumes of smoke seen rising from the building, located near the National Theatre.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were quickly dispatched to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control after several hours.
However, significant portions of the building, including exhibition halls and administrative offices, were destroyed.
The cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined, but officials say investigations are underway. No casualties have been reported.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as staff and nearby workers attempted to salvage documents and equipment before the fire spread.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), which oversees the ATIC, confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the damage to one of the city’s central tourism resources.
Opened in 2009, the Accra Tourist Information Centre has served as a hub for tourists seeking information about destinations across the country, as well as hosting cultural events, exhibitions, and conferences.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
A total of 16 people lost their lives and 110 others sustained varying degrees of injury from 3,595 fire outbreaks recorded across Ghana in the first six months of 2025, according to figures released by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The figures represent a grim surge in casualties when compared to the same period last year, during which 12 deaths and 30 injuries were reported from 3,576 fire incidents.
The 2025 toll marks a 33% increase in fatalities and a staggering 266% spike in injuries.
The data was disclosed by Divisional Officer Two (DO II) Desmond E. Ackah, Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, during a media briefing on the Service’s mid-year fire statistics.
