Professor Bernard Kumi-Boateng Assumes UMaT Vice-Chancellorship as University Commissions New Fire Station

Professor Bernard Kumi-Boateng has officially been installed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), marking a significant leadership transition for the institution. An alumnus of the university and a distinguished Geomatic Engineer, Professor Kumi-Boateng succeeds Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, who concluded a six-year tenure. The new Vice-Chancellor is expected to drive the university’s mission forward, focusing on advancements in mining, technology, and engineering while steering the institution through its next phase of academic and infrastructural growth.

Coinciding with this leadership change, the university has commissioned a new Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) station on its Tarkwa campus to address urgent safety needs. The establishment of the station comes in response to a rise in local emergencies, with the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality recording 12 fire incidents in the first half of 2026 alone. University leadership emphasized that as the student population grows to over 14,000, it is imperative that safety infrastructure expands proportionately to protect both the academic community and the surrounding Tarkwa township.

The new facility is equipped with modern operational suites, offices for fire officers, and dedicated rooms for crew activities. Beyond the recent fire statistics, the initiative was heavily influenced by the tragic lessons of the Appiatse explosion disaster, which highlighted the critical need for localized and rapid emergency response in industrial and mining hubs. By hosting a dedicated GNFS station, the university aims to significantly reduce response times and provide a more secure environment for its stakeholders.

During the commissioning ceremony, Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Roberta Aggrey Ghanson commended UMaT for its proactive investment in community safety. She urged other corporate and educational entities to emulate this model by supporting the GNFS with necessary resources to bolster the nation’s emergency response framework. As Professor Kumi-Boateng begins his administration, the integration of such essential services provides a robust foundation for the university's continued contribution to Ghana’s technological and mineral sectors.