Fire Destroys Artist Ibrahim Mahama’s Heritage Train: “Tragic Misfortune”
- Artist Ibrahim Mahama's heritage train was destroyed by fire on February 18 in the Northern Region
- Mahama explained the cause of the tragic fire in a post on Facebook and thanked the Ghana National Fire Service for its support
- The train formed part of Ghana’s oldest railway stock and had been acquired as part of Mahama’s preservation efforts
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A heritage train owned by artist Ibrahim Mahama was destroyed by fire following an incident in the Northern Region on February 18.
Mahama described the development as a “tragic misfortune,” attributing the fire to sparks from ongoing repair works on the train.
Source: Facebook
He shared photos of the devastation and response efforts on Facebook.
“Yesterday, we had a tragic misfortune of losing one of our trains to fire due to sparks from ongoing repairs. Certainly, I am sure if a lot more care had been taken, this could have been prevented."
"No one was injured thankfully. Our hearts may be broken but our spirits are as high as ever."
Mahama explained that the train was one of the most difficult pieces to acquire, having secured it nearly two years ago for his outfit in Tamale.
According to him, it had been scheduled last for body repairs due to the extensive rust it had accumulated over the years.
The train formed part of Ghana’s oldest railway stock, which is no longer in operation, and had been acquired as part of Mahama’s preservation efforts.
Ibrahim Mahama makes history on ArtReview’s Power list
Mahama recently made history as the first African to claim the number one spot on ArtReview’s Power 100 list.
The 2025 list was released on December 4, 2025, recognising the PhD student in Painting and Sculpture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art worldwide.
His work has shaped artistic innovation, cultural discourse, and institutional development over the past year.
At 38, Mahama has achieved an unprecedented leap from 14th place in 2024 to the top of the list in 2025, placing Ghana at the forefront of global conversations on contemporary art.
Mahama has been celebrated for his installations crafted from repurposed jute sacks and industrial materials.
His works focus on complex themes including labour, migration, trade histories, and collective memory, and have been exhibited in major museums, biennials, and public spaces across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Source: Facebook
Over the years, the talented artist has also channelled his artistic success into transforming the creative landscape of northern Ghana through the establishment of major cultural initiatives, including the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Volini.
Through his remarkable works, Mahama has now inspired a new generation of artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners while solidifying Ghana’s position in global contemporary art.
Ibrahim Mahama claims abandoned aircraft
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Mahama claimed ownership of an aircraft once used by Ghana Airways.
Mahama explained that his motive was to transform the abandoned plane into a 'moving museum' that could travel across the country.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
