By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Anlo-Afiadenyigba (V/R), May 20, GNA – The boys’ dormitory at Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region was razed by fire on Tuesday, leaving final-year students bereft of personal belongings.
The incident, which occurred at about 1300 hours has destroyed items including chopboxes, money, mobile phones, school uniforms, and shoes among others.
Mr Gabriel Kuatsikor, the Assembly Member for the area, told the Ghana News Agency, that the blaze has deeply frustrated candidates sitting for the final-year examinations.
“The dormitory which burnt is where the final year boys were living. All their properties were burnt; some students who were nearby helped in putting the fire off. We need support for the affected students,” he said.
He explained that the fire reportedly broke out while many of the affected students were either in class or writing their final year examination papers, which has increased the anxiety among family members and school authorities.
Mr Kuatsikor said that the exact cause of the fire remains unknown while investigations by relevant agencies including Keta-Anloga Ghana Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were underway to ascertain the situation.
“We thank the Municipal Fire Service for responding quickly to the calls and helped control the situation, which prevented the inferno from spreading to adjacent structures.”
He noted that no casualties have been reported, but several properties belonging to the students were destroyed which called for immediate attention as well as providing psychological treatment to the final year students.
Mr Kuatsikor stated that the headmaster of the was in Accra to attend a Public Accounts Committee meeting at the time of the fire and was not on campus when the incident happened, while other school administrators joined local officials and emergency responders at the scene to assist affected students.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials in the Municipality visited the school to assess the extent of damage and ascertain the needs of the displaced students with officials expected to provide immediate support following the assessment.
Mr Wisdom Seade, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who also inspected the scene, assured that necessary support would be provided and that a report would be sent to the Regional NADMO for urgent action, and appealed to individuals and organisations to assist the students during the recovery period.
The Municipal Assembly said it would initially provide mattresses and mosquito nets to affected students while awaiting further assistance from regional and national agencies.
Authorities also indicated plans to source replacement uniforms and essential items to minimise disruption to the candidates’ preparation.
Students who spoke to the GNA expressed worry and appealed for support from the public, alumni and non-governmental organisations to help replace lost study materials and personal effects.
They appealed for a swift action to ensure their studies and examinations are not further disrupted.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, with school authorities, the Fire Service and disaster management officials collaborating to determine the origin and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade