Fire destroys historic railway carriage owned by artist Ibrahim Mahama

A significant piece of Ghana’s railway heritage was lost to fire late Wednesday evening in the Northern Region. A vintage railway carriage, owned by renowned Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, was completely destroyed in a blaze that erupted during restoration work.

The incident occurred on the night of February 18, 2026, while repairs were being carried out on the ageing rail asset. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr. Mahama confirmed the loss, expressing deep distress over what he described as a potentially avoidable tragedy.

“Yesterday night we had a tragic misfortune of losing one of our trains to fire due to sparks from ongoing repairs,” Mr. Mahama wrote. “Certainly I am sure if a lot more care had been taken this could have been prevented.”

The artist revealed that the carriage was one of the most challenging pieces he had ever attempted to acquire, with the collection process taking nearly two years. Due to significant rust accumulated over decades, the train was the last in line for structural body repairs, making its loss particularly poignant.

“This was one of the most difficult object to collect almost two years ago and the last in line for body repairs due to the rust it had accumulated over the years,” his statement read.

The carriage was part of Ghana’s early railway stock and had long been decommissioned from operational use. Mr. Mahama had acquired it as part of his broader artistic practice, which often involves preserving and re-contextualizing elements of Ghanaian history and infrastructure.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the incident. Mr. Mahama expressed relief that all personnel were safe and extended his gratitude to the Ghana National Fire Service for their prompt response, as well as to local community members who offered support during the emergency.

” No one was injured thankfully. Our hearts may be broken but our spirits are as high as ever. Special thanks to the National Fire service for their response and all members of our community within the locality,” he posted.

The fire serves as a stark reminder of the heightened fire risks during the dry season. Mr. Mahama concluded his post with a public safety plea, urging caution during any activities that involve sparks or heat. The loss represents a major setback to private efforts aimed at preserving the country’s fading industrial and railway history.