The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa has taken a major step to improve emergency response and strengthen safety in the area with the commissioning of a dedicated Ghana National Fire Service station on its campus. The new facility is expected to serve both the university community and surrounding settlements.
New Fire Station for Tarkwa UMaT Campus
The university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Kwesi Amankwah, explained that the existing fire station serving Tarkwa is located at Aritreso, several kilometres away from the university. He said this distance, combined with traffic congestion, could affect response times during emergencies.
The new fire station is part of UMaT's strategic expansion plans, which include projections of an increasing student population. Currently, the university has more than 14,000 students on its Tarkwa campus.
Tarkwa Battles 12 Blazes in 6 Months
The Ghana National Fire Service has reported 12 fire incidents in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality within the first half of 2026. These incidents included five domestic fires, three commercial fires, a vehicular fire, an institutional fire, an industrial fire, and one other outbreak. The university enclave alone recorded four major fires from January to date.
According to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, the location of the new station will help reduce response time and allow firefighters to act faster during emergencies. "My heart is filled with joy for having this project strategically located in Tarkwa because it is actually going to reduce our response time," she said.
Safety Infrastructure to Expand Alongside University Growth
The university's growing student population has led authorities to emphasize the need for safety infrastructure to expand alongside the institution. Professor Amankwah said, "It's all about improving the safety resilience of the university and also the community. We have more than 14,000 students in the Tarkwa campus, and it is important that as you bring more people into a community, you also think about their safety."
New Fire Station to Serve Neighbouring Settlements
The facility is expected to serve not only the university community but also neighbouring settlements and communities within the university enclave. Professor Amankwah explained that the new fire station will help firefighters respond quickly and contain incidents before they escalate.
The commissioning of the new fire station forms part of efforts to improve emergency preparedness in Tarkwa. As the university continues to grow, the new facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of students, staff, and surrounding communities.
In the coming months, the Ghana National Fire Service will work closely with UMaT to ensure a smooth transition and effective operation of the new fire station. This move is expected to improve emergency response times and reduce the risk of fire-related incidents in the area.
Source: Joy Online
