By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Tema, March 18, GNA – Members of the Tema Traditional Council have visited the scene of a microlight aircraft crash to assess the magnitude of the disaster and deliberate on customary protocols to prevent its recurrence.
Nii Amarh Soumponu, Tema Stool Secretary and Shipi, speaking on behalf of the Council, said the visit aimed to gather firsthand information on the extent of the damage and report findings to traditional priests, who would determine the requirements to cleanse the area.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that traditional authorities were informed about the crash on Monday but were unable to visit the site immediately due to prior engagements.
He explained that the visit was necessary for the council to determine appropriate traditional measures in response to the incident, noting that such occurrences require specific cultural and spiritual interventions to restore calm and prevent recurrence.
“There are some rites to be performed on issues of this nature, just to forestall any further recurrence, so we are here to get firsthand information and also observe with our direct eyes how serious it was, and indeed, we have seen that it is a very serious issue, but for God, who knows the fate of the children?” He stated.
Members of the Council also expressed concern about the psychological impact of the crash on residents, teachers, and pupils who witnessed the incident or its aftermath.
Nii Soumponu called for the provision of professional counselling services to support affected individuals, especially educators and schoolchildren who may be dealing with trauma.
“It is very traumatic, so it will affect them psychologically, and what immediately should be done is to counsel them, especially the teachers. As for the children, with time they will recover, so the immediate thing is to take care of the adults, who have thinking capacity, and it can overrun their brains,” he added.
The aircraft crash, which occurred on Monday, is currently under investigation by the appropriate state agencies.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Audrey Dekalu