By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Anlo-Afiadenyigba (V/R), May 21, GNA-Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, the Member of Parliament for Keta Constituency, in the Volta Region, has supported students displaced by a fire that gutted the boys’ dormitory at Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School.
The support includes donation of 40 pieces of student mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets among others to enable alleviate the plight of students as well as provide them comfortable environment during their final examinations.
Mr Gakpey, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, during the donation exercise at the school premises, on Wednesday, described the incident as unfortunate which demanded immediate relief and coordinated action put the situations under control.
“I was notified of the blaze late on Tuesday evening, hours after the headmaster of the school left us at the public Account Committee meeting earlier the same day, I have to rash to ascertain the situation,” he said.
Mr Gakpey stated that he immediately engaged Mr Wisdom Seade, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), to assess the needs and plan a response.
He said that an initial emergency response agreed with the MCE involves the procurement of mattresses and bedding to replace items lost in the fire, and disclosed that the first batch of mattresses and blankets, as essential for displaced students, which cost nearly GH₵ 30,000 and was sourced for immediate distribution.
“We are urging calm; there is a need for a full investigation into the cause of the fire before long-term reconstruction begins. We need to ascertain the cause of the fire so that in the near future the reoccurrence of such things will not happen,” he said.
He added that the school would commence major rebuilding based on the finding during the investigation and urged school staff and students to remain calm and assist authority in the necessary investigation into the situation.
The MP, to further mobilise support, said that he has contacted key regional and national stakeholders, including Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, the Education Minister, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Regional Director, and board chairs of both the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and other relevant authorities to help provide necessary support to the school.
“We expect these institutions to offer technical and financial assistance in the coming days. Moreover, we are appealing to the media to amplify the call for help, and to members of the public and philanthropists to donate items or funds to assist the school community,” he said.
He added: “I would like to use this opportunity to use your medium to actually spread the news, and request kindly from those who have the means to support the school.”
Mr Gakpey also described the incident as a disaster for the town and emphasised that it has broader implications beyond the school compound.
The MP noted that the fire exposed vulnerabilities in local infrastructure, particularly the electricity supply, which he said is currently unstable and fluctuating across the town.
He appealed to GETFund and other education stakeholders to prioritise safety upgrades to dormitories, including electrical rewiring, fire alarms, and safe escape routes.
The MP thanked local officials for their prompt response in the immediate aftermath and promised regular updates to the public as relief and investigations progressed.
Residents and potential donors wishing to support the affected students have been asked to contact the Keta constituency office or the Anlo-Afiadenyigba SHS administration for guidance on how to channel relief items and contributions.
The MP confirmed that the constituency team will ensure transparent distribution of all donations to meet the urgent needs of the displaced students.
Mr Francis Seshie, the Assistant Headmaster, Administration, who received the items on behalf of the school, thanked Mr Gakpey, Mr Seade and other relevant authorities for the kind and immediate gesture.
He said the gesture will help provide relief for affected students and called for more support to rebuild the affected facility.
GNA further gathered that items such as calculators, student’s mattresses, uniforms, shoes, text and exercise books, among several properties belonging to about 30 final year students were burnt beyond recognition.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah