Fire Breaks Out at Kwapong Nursing Training College in Ahafo Region – Highlights Urgent Campus Safety Concerns

Blaze Erupts at Kwapong Nursing Training College in Ahafo Region

A fire erupted early Friday morning at the Kwapong Nursing Training College in the Asunafo South District of the Ahafo Region, sending students into panic and prompting a swift response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). The cause of the blaze is not yet known, but all students have been safely evacuated. No casualties have been reported so far.

According to eyewitnesses, thick smoke could be seen rising from parts of the college campus before firefighters arrived to battle the flames. Authorities have since cordoned off the area to prevent further risk as investigions continue.

Firefighters from the Ahafo regional station arrived shortly after the alarm was raised. They managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby dormitories and classrooms. As of midday Friday, efforts were ongoing to completely douse the remaining hotspots.

School authorities have temporarily suspended academic activities while safety assessments are carried out. The Asunafo South District Assembly is coordinating with the GNFS and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to assess the extent of property loss and provide support to affected students.

The Kwapong fire raises broader concerns about fire safety and infrastructure standards across Ghana’s educational institutions. Similar incidents in other regions have highlighted systemic issues such as outdated electrical systems, lack of fire extinguishers, and poor emergency-response planning.

This story matters because Kwapong Nursing Training College is a key institution in the Ahafo Region, training nurses and midwives who serve rural and peri-urban health centres. Any disruption to its operations could have a ripple effect on healthcare delivery, especially in underserved communities.

More broadly, the incident underscores a pattern seen in many African countries, where limited funding for maintenance and safety systems exposes students to preventable risks. Ensuring the safety of students and staff is vital to sustaining confidence in public educational institutions.

Established in 2015, the Kwapong Nursing Training College operates under the Ministry of Health and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana. The school has grown rapidly, admitting hundreds of students annually to meet the country’s increasing demand for healthcare professionals.

However, the college—like many others in developing areas—faces infrastructural challenges. Administrators have previously raised concerns over congested dormitories, unfinished building projects, and inadequate safety facilities. Incomplete structures and old electrical wiring in such institutions often heighten the risk of fires.

Nationwide, the Ghana National Fire Service recorded more than 6,200 fire incidents in 2024, according to its annual report. These included outbreaks in schools, markets, and residential areas. The service continues to urge educational institutions to adopt stricter fire-prevention protocols, including regular drills, installation of smoke detectors, and periodic inspection of electrical systems.

Earlier this year, another fire gutted the girls’ hostel of a nursing and midwifery college in the Upper East Region, displacing more than 100 students. Though no lives were lost, the students lost books, uniforms, and personal items. Such cases illustrate how vulnerable many training institutions remain to fire disasters, often due to limited preventive infrastructure.

The recurrence of these incidents calls for a coordinated national strategy on school fire safety, involving the Ministries of Health, Education, and Interior. Some experts have suggested mandatory fire audits for all public educational institutions, particularly those with boarding facilities.

1. Investigation of Cause – The GNFS is expected to determine whether faulty electrical wiring, negligence, or arson triggered the blaze.
2. Safety Review – The Ministry of Health and the Nursing and Midwifery Council may conduct a safety audit of all training colleges under their supervision.
3. Emergency Preparedness – Schools are encouraged to create fire-response committees, conduct quarterly fire drills, and ensure that extinguishers and hydrants are functional.
4. Support for Students – NADMO and the District Assembly are likely to provide relief items, while college authorities assess losses and arrange temporary accommodation for displaced students.

If properly handled, the incident could spur a nationwide review of campus safety, helping to prevent future disasters.

While the prompt response from firefighters helped avert casualties, the Kwapong Nursing Training College fire serves as a reminder of the need for proactive safety measures across Ghana’s educational landscape. As the country continues to expand access to tertiary education, equal attention must be given to maintaining safe, resilient infrastructure.

Preventing such incidents in the future will depend not only on quick responses during emergencies but also on long-term investments in prevention, maintenance, and public awareness.

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