There is a major boost for fire safety in Tarkwa as the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) officially handed over a brand-new fire station to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The move comes as new statistics reveal a worrying rise in fire incidents across the municipality, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced emergency response capabilities.
Director of Operations at the Ghana National Fire Service, Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, has commended the university’s foresight, describing the initiative as visionary.
For university authorities, safety remains a top priority with over fourteen thousand students now on the Tarkwa Campus. And the statistics paint a telling picture.
In the first half of 2026 alone, the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality recorded twelve fire incidents including domestic, commercial, and institutional fires with two more cases reported since July to date. Closer to home, the University of Mines and Technology enclave has recorded four major fires since January.
These figures reflect a persistent threat across multiple sectors and reinforce the necessity of proactive safety measures.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, highlighted a critical hurdle. The existing fire station is located approximately five kilometers away, and heavy traffic congestion often delays emergency response.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, he explained: “Although Tarkwa already has a fire station, it is located approximately five kilometers away, and heavy traffic congestion often delays emergency response. In the event of an incident, navigating from that location to the scene would be problematic.”
He described the on-campus facility as a strategic solution:
“Establishing a fire station on campus is a strategic solution; this central location would drastically reduce response times, ensuring better protection for the university community while bolstering overall safety resilience for the town.”
The Director of Operations of the Ghana National Fire Service, Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, applauded the university’s forward-thinking approach, hailing the initiative as truly visionary.
“This visionary initiative stems directly from the university’s strategic expansion plans, which anticipate significant student population growth and underscore the urgent need for enhanced fire protection not only for the campus itself, but also for the surrounding settlements and communities within the university enclave.”
She expressed genuine satisfaction with the project’s strategic location:
“I am genuinely pleased that this project has been strategically located here in Tarkwa, as its primary advantage a significant reduction in response time will be instrumental in safeguarding both lives and property.”
The new fire station is expected to serve not only the university community but also the broader Tarkwa township and surrounding settlements. With student numbers projected to grow, university authorities view the facility as a critical investment in the safety and well-being of all residents within the enclave.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
