UMaT turns to dedicated fire station as Tarkwa records 12 fire incidents in six months

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has commissioned a Ghana National Fire Service station on its Tarkwa campus to improve emergency response and strengthen safety for its growing university community and surrounding settlements. The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality recorded 12 fire incidents within the first half of 2026, as reported by the Ghana National Fire Service. These incidents included five domestic fires, three commercial fires, a vehicular fire, an institutional fire, an industrial fire, and one other outbreak.

According to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, Director of Operations of the Ghana National Fire Service, the UMaT enclave alone recorded four major fires from January to date. She stated, "My heart is filled with joy for having this project strategically located in Tarkwa because it is actually going to reduce our response time." The facility was established as part of UMaT's strategic expansion plans and projections of an increasing student population, which currently stands at more than 14,000 students on its Tarkwa campus. Professor Richard Kwesi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of UMaT, said the project is aimed at improving the safety resilience of both the university and the wider Tarkwa community.